University alumna, Queens native and 2013-2014 Pace Press Features Editor Thatiana Diaz was crowned Miss New York USA on Jan. 18. Diaz is the 51st delegate to be added to the Miss USA 2015 roster. “I couldn’t see myself anywhere else, so why not represent it,” said Diaz of her journey to the Miss New York 2015 crown during an interview with New York 1 News.
The renowned pageant competition features three equal phases of preliminary competition consisting of Swimsuit, Evening Gown and Private Interview portions.
The highest scoring contestants in the preliminary phases of the competition are named semi-finalists. The semi-finalists each compete during the final question phase for one of the five runners up spots. First runner up is crowned Miss New York.
Diaz is no stranger to the pageant world, having competed in and won many beauty pageants locally and abroad. Diaz was most notably crowned Miss Teen New York USA, Miss Latina New York and earned a spot in the top 15 of Miss Teen USA.
Most recently Diaz was crowned Miss Dominican Republic U.S. 2013 and competed for the title once more during 2014. Diaz plans to continue in her pageantry and run for Miss USA.