Yvette Bennett wins Miss Idaho US International crown

(First published at the Marianas Variety)  

SAIPAN’S Yvette Marie Deleon Guerrero Bennett has been crowned Miss Idaho U.S. International by the Idaho Committee for Miss U.S. International.

Yvette Marie Deleon Guerrero Bennett

Bennett, the first beauty contestant from the CNMI to capture a state-level beauty title on the mainland, will now compete against other state contestants at the Miss U.S. International pageant in Orlando, Florida from June 27-30, 2013.

The winner will represent the U.S. in the Miss International beauty pageant which will be held in Okinawa, Japan next fall.

In a statement, Bennett’s father Ambrose said he and his wife Lillian know that the entire CNMI is as proud as they are of their daughter.

“We thank all of you who supported our baby girl. Yvette told us it felt amazing and was so much of a surprise. It is a real opportunity to show her abilities and potential as a title holder,” Ambrose said.

Yvette, for her part, said: “I felt that all my hard work had been vindicated and this was well-earned recognition. It also inspired me to work even harder on my walk, my interview and my wardrobe to grab another even bigger opportunity.”

She said her title as Miss Idaho International has put her in an even better position as a role model and advocate for the youth of the nation to live a better and healthier lifestyle.

“Having the support of my family, friends and the community back home means a great deal to me and I must thank everyone who has supported me back home, especially the social media spreading the word around. It has been a lot of motivation for me to continue participating in these Pageant competitions,” Yvette said.

Ambrose said they are now working to get financial support for Yvette’s entrance fee and wardrobe for the national competition.

“Yvette needs the help of the CNMI so if you are willing to be one of Yvette’s sponsors please contact us at 670-256-6602 or you can stop at any First Hawaiian Bank and make a deposit of any amount in Yvette M. Deleon Guerrero Bennett’s account,” he added.

Sponsors can email b_vettie@hotmail.com after making donations so their names will be added to the list of sponsors.

According to an official letter from the Miss International Beauty Pageant in Burton, Michigan, Yvette and the other contestants will be judged on beauty, charm, personality and poise.

The International Cultural Association, producer of the Miss International Beauty Pageant, has been producing the Miss International Beauty Pageant since 1967.

The pageant, which started in Long Beach, California in 1960 and which is also called a Festival of Beauty and Olympics of Beauty, is not based on looks alone. The contestants are expected to serve as “ambassadors of peace and beauty, showing tenderness, benevolence, friendship, beauty, intelligence, ability to take action, and, most importantly, a great international sensibility.”

Santa Visits Saipan via Skype

ALL eyes were glued to the huge screen as the Skype ring tone reverberated in the American Memorial Park Visitor Center theater on Saturday afternoon.

Cedrick the Magician from Tinian was trying to contact Santa Claus in the North Pole while the audience waited. After a few seconds, Santa’s jolly face appeared on screen and he greeted everyone with his booming laughter. He said he was on his way to Saipan.

Cedrick the Magician impressed the young and not so young audience and had everyone mesmerized for 45 minutes as he performed on stage.

Cedrick, 20, is one of the backstage hands for the SandCastle Magic Show at the Hyatt, and it was his first performance in public on Saipan.

Cedrick’s Magic Show culminated with the arrival of Santa Claus. Chilren and adults got the chance to have their pictures taken with Cedrick and Santa Claus in the Visitor Center lobby after the show.

“I was a little bit nervous at first but after the first few minutes, I began to relax and was happy to see the audience enjoying the show,” Cedrick said.

Cedrick is the fourth of seven siblings. Cedrick’s mother Joji, a teacher of Grace Christian Academy on Tinian, said she had never watched any of Cedrick’s shows before.

“His father always comes with him but this time, I decided to come out and watch. I was more nervous than he was during the first few moments of the show but later on, I started to enjoy it,” Joji said.

She wanted Cedrick to be an engineer, but added that their family will always support him in his endeavors.

Cedrick’s father Conrad Libut said: “Doing magic is what he wants, and we are here for him.”

Cedrick became interested in the world of magic at 9 after he watched a special TV marathon show titled “World’s Greatest Magic.” He devoured every episode and decided then and there what he wanted to do in life — magic.

He now performs for various occasions such as birthday parties, baby showers, cocktail parties or even business get-togethers.

Cedrick the Magician also performed during the Brilliant Star School bazaar at the multi-purpose center on Dec. 9. For more information, call 789-9197, email contact@cedrickmagic.com or visit http://cedrickmagic.com.

First published at the Marianas Variety