Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Gonzalez.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Growing up, I saw gorgeous queens at events, parades, on tv, and I wished one day to be like them, but I never ever imagined myself pursuing this dream. I was 15 years old, saw an ad on Instagram, about the new season of Miss Teen Houston Latina. I have always been one to try new things, I’ve played every sport at my school, just to try them out and see which ones I liked and which ones I didn’t like. I went ahead and filled out the application to become a candidate for becoming the next Miss Teen Houston Latina, and my mission was to just try it out, make new friends, get out of my comfort zone. I joined on my own, at first I didn’t even tell my parents about it, I kept it to myself because I was so passionate about joining, and I didn’t want anything to get in the way. The pageant season begins, I meet all the beautiful girls that I was going to be competing against, I understood that this pageant organization was different, the candidates were all very nice, looked out for each other, and the winners weren’t necessarily the tallest, the prettiest, it was more about finding a role model that had the abilities to represent/inner beauty.
Throughout the classes and meeting with the other candidates, I honestly wasn’t even thinking about actually winning, I was so excited about everything I was learning and the new friends I was making. The pageant day is here, I feel more confident than I ever did before, and even on the big day I really didn’t imagine myself winning I was competing against girls that were older than me, I was only 15, a freshman in high school, competing against girls older than me from the ages 13-17. As the pageant is going, they announce awards, and I received best interview. The pageant continues and I get announced in making top 7, I was asked to answer an on-stage question, a random question. It continues, and slowly they are announcing the runner ups leading up to announcing the winner. I began to question why I wasn’t being called until they finally announce the winner, the new Miss Teen Houston Latina is… Natalie Gonzalez, I couldn’t believe it, a smile was stuck on my face. Becoming the Miss Teen Houston Latina, the next step was to compete at the state pageant.
Throughout my journey as Miss Teen Houston Latina, I was preparing for the Miss Teen Texas Latina Pageant. The day comes, I’m on-stage at the state pageant and I’m reliving and having the same feelings as I did when I was competing for the Miss Teen Houston Latina pageant, I’m nervous, excited, happy, have butterflies in my stomach. The pageant is about to end and they’re getting ready to announce the winner, I get announced as first runner up. I was grateful, happy for the winner. A couple of months later and I receive a call from my director letting me know that I had the opportunity to step up and represent Texas as I was first runner up. Here I am today, representing the state of Texas, and preparing for nationals.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There has been a few challenges throughout my journey, and it including having to prioritize and manage my time. Outside of pageantry, I was in many extracurricular activities at school, had games, practice, meetings, etc; there were times when I had a game and I also had an event I had to prioritize.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Miss Teen Texas Latina – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
The Miss Texas Latina Organization is the Official State Preliminary Pageant for the MISS US LATINA competition, was established in 1983 and led to the International MISS LATIN AMERICA® OF THE WORLD pageant. Natalia Castillo is Natalie Castillo. The Miss Texas Latina Organization is geared to Latina residents in Texas between the ages of 13 and 27, who desire to grow in the areas of confidence, self-esteem, Fitness and Modeling while proudly promoting their Latino heritage.
This Pageant intends to promote the ideas, culture, interests and aspirations of this country’s most powerful emerging market. Today’s young Latina women are leading the way. Their desires for achievement, recognition and the betterment of themselves and their families are shaping the future economy and culture of this country, driving it into the next century. The Miss Texas Latina Organization is the best place to gain exposure, have fun, win prizes and go home with plenty of new friends and a lifetime of memories. It is also a great opportunity for networking and career development. This pageant looks for “More than a Model, A Role Model.”
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I plan to continue pageantry, as I soon compete at the national competition and compete against other state titleholders for the Miss Teen US Latina title. After this, I plan to one day become a director for this organization, as I will inspiring others and being responsible for my own queens. I look forward to using my pageant experience to inspire other Latinas and share that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. I am soon to enter my senior year at Charles H. Milby High School and plan on majoring in business and minor in marketing at the University of Texas. I am starting the process of creating my own cosmetic company and plan on using my studies in expanding this business.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.misstxlatina.com
- Phone: 832-322-9942
- Email: info@misstxlatina.com
- Instagram: @misstxlatina @nataliengonzalez
- Facebook: @misstxlatina
Image Credit:
Daniel Horande (Photographer) – photos in red dress, Memorable Views Photo – photo sitting down in yellow outfit
Suggest a story: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
