A new reign:
Guillen and Neurater crowned Rey y Reina
By: Bethany Mello
Issue date: 10/5/09 Section: News
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The crowned Reina was President of the Presidential Ambassadors, Christine "CC" Neurater, and crowned Rey was Manuel Guillen.
The attending crowd was overwhelming with dozens of people standing behind people seated, eager to watch. The seven contestants running for Rey and Reina were judged on ENMU spirit, public speaking, and a personal talent.
In the crowd, Charles Britton from Portales says he came to support his friend, Christine. "Being ENMU's Hispanic Reina would help her embrace her culture, specifically on campus, in an event that celebrates Hispanic culture," Britton said.
Many running competitors showed off their variety of ENMU T-shirts, and discussed the different organizations they are involved in, as part of their display of school spirit.
Each contestant delivered a speech for the public speaking segment. "The sky is the limit for me," Debra Lynn Suza said in her speech while competing for Reina.
The talent segment of the pageant included teaching songs in Spanish, bass guitar, helping people, creative construction, and dancing- all to an incredibly enthusiastic crowd.
This was by far the most intense part of the pageant, with the crowd participating and cheering. There was five minutes of suspense while the Judges contemplated and casted their votes.
Neurater said being crowned "Means so much, especially because we have such a large population of Hispanics on campus. It's a great honor; there are really no words to explain it." She said she will celebrate starting with pizza and a call to her mom.
Guillen had other plans, specifically to go take a Spanish test. "This is my chance to represent my people to the best of my abilities. It's imperative that everyone has a voice," he said about being crowned Hispanic Rey.
"He's proud of his heritage, it means a lot to him to represent his race," Shandra Smith his roommate said.
Also running were students Si Trujillo, Redecel Coss, Monique Hernandez, Debra Lynn Suza, and Elise Martinez.