And your new Miss North Central Florida USA is...

Hey Everyone! My name is Leslie Ann Torres. I am the reigning Miss North Central Florida USA 2012! I am 21 years old, and I was born in Corpus Christi, Texas! When I was two years old, my amazing parents, Hector Torres and Maria Castellanos, moved to Florida. I LOVE IT! I grew up mostly in Gainesville and attended high school in Newberry. It's a small town with probably less that 4,500 people. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Although I didn't reside in Newberry until my high school days, I quickly adopted it as my own!

In February of 2011, I decided to run for Miss North Central Florida USA. I had no idea how it would turn out. When I first decided to compete, I was extremely nervous. I wasn't quite sure what I was getting myself into. Looking at all competition information I began feeling overwhelmed. I had competed in a few local pageants in my home town, won a few titles, and competed for higher ones. But never in the USA system. When I finally put my mind to it, I was ready, and more confident than ever. I had the most support that anyone could ask for! From my family and friends, to my hometown organizations, I had a real support team. The day before the pageant, a friend sent me a screen shot from the Facebook newsfeed... Newberry Mainstreet, Newberry FL, AND Newberry Jonesville Chamber of Commerce had all posted "Our own Leslie Torres (Watermelon Queen 2009) is competing in Miss Gainesville USA 2morrow @ 1 PM @ Oak Hall #newberryFL" That was when I KNEW I really wanted this. 

The pageant started with an onstage speech and interview. My speech was about  my passion for education and children, and nutrition! I nailed it! Next was the impromptu question... It was about what being a role model meant to me... As involved as I am with children I feel I had a pretty good perspective of what that is. :) Then we had our swimsuit competition. Although I enjoy working out, I was a little nervous, but when I heard my "fan club" cheering for me, it came easily! I felt like I was on a runway! Finally was evening wear... I wore a BEAUTIFUL customized white dress, and I was more confident than ever! The pageant is not all about who's prettiest, tallest, or even the skinniest. It's about how confident she is. It's about how she carries herself. And with my support team, Insecurity was the last thing on my mind. 


About 15 minutes after competing, it was time for crowning. And THAT's when the nerves kicked in! Name after name after name for trophies and runners up were called. And then our beautiful MCs said
"And you new Miss North Central Florida USA is..." my heart sank, but... I won! :) More excited than I've been in a while, I knew this was going to be the beginning of something great!  This is the blog of my reign and the journey to Miss Florida USA. Hopefully it will end up as my journey to MISS UNIVERSE!