Ever since she was a child, this beautiful girl had always been interested in modeling. However, she never had the opportunity to take part in pageants at the time. As a teen, Kasandra was offered the chance to enter a pageant. She had no previous experience and no hopes of winning, but agreed to join the competition as a learning experience. A true underdog story, Kasandra emerged as the victor, and soon realized that with hard work and passion, you can reach for the stars. Now, Kasandra holds the title of Miss Aguas Buenas for the Miss Teen World Puerto Rico pageant, which will take place later this week. Behind the sweet smile, Kasandra’s world is anything but superficial. Read on to find out about her preparation, sacrifices, hopes and dreams!
Name: Kasandra RiveraAge: 19Hometown: Aguas BuenasMajor: Chemistry
HCUPR: What are your future academic plans?Kasandra: I don’t have my plans completely laid out yet. For now, I’d like to focus on earning my bachelor’s degree with a good GPA so I can apply to medical school. I’d love to be a pathologist, I find it very interesting.
HCUPR: Have you ever participated in another pageant before?​Kasandra: Nope! I’m a novice, I’ve gotten here almost as if by chance. The pageant’s official photographer approached me and offered me the chance to participate to represent the town of Aguas Buenas. I told my mom about; she knew I had always been interesting in modeling, but had never actually gotten the chance to do it. She approved and I entered with no hopes whatsoever of winning, but I did! I was the most inexperienced of the girls: I didn’t know how to walk, sit or eat properly — but I was the most natural and genuine one out of all the girls. I held my values close to my heart always and I let them show, but I wasn’t superficial.
HCUPR: What does modeling mean to you?​Kasandra: For me, modeling is a way to channel my energy into something positive, it is doing something that I love.
HCUPR: When is the next round of the competition?​Kasandra: It is on the 8th of February at the Centro de Bellas Artes of Guaynabo.
HCUPR: Do you think this competition has changed you in any way?​Kasandra: I was always doubting and underestimating myself. I started believing in myself once I’ve achieved something! I couldn’t even dream about winning. Now it’s just an unexplainable feeling, to actually be here looking back and realizing that all my hard work has payed off. I’ve gained so much confidence. And it’s a really beautiful thing.
HCUPR: What were the preparations for the first competition like? Did you have any difficulties?​Kasandra: Honestly, yes. I had difficulties because I had to modify my behavior. I’m naturally very loud and, of course, I had to become more refined and lady-like. I also had to change my eating habits to a cleaner and healthier diet, and follow a rigorous exercise plan. But if you’re dedicate and passionate, with willpower you can do anything.
HCUPR: What would you say to those who think beauty pageants are superficial?​Kasandra: I would say that beauty pageants are a platform for not only showing beauty, but showing the positive things you have as a person, like the values and goals of the young women participating. These women are a representation of how far you can go when you work hard to achieve your goals.  Pageants are also an opportunity, because they allow us to enter and jumpstart a career in other related fields, such as modeling and acting.
HCUPR: What is your take on children’s beauty pageants?Kasandra: How a pageant affects a young girl depends on her parents, not on the beauty pageant. I think that if a little girl has passion —like I did as a child— then she should have her parents’ support.  But she shouldn’t be entered into a beauty pageant because of her parents’ wishes if she is not at all interested in it. I don’t consider it healthy to force your child to like something she doesn’t.
Be sure to check out more of Kasandra’s pictures out on the Miss Teen World Puerto Rico website!