New Miss Y crowned

There wasn’t any basketball game last Friday but if you passed by the City Centre you would have marveled at the crowd gathered to watch a very different kind of event: a pageant for the young at heart. News Five spoke to the woman who captured the hearts of the judges.

Seventy-four year old Paulita Reyes is Miss Y 1999-2000. Reyes, who was crowned at a packed City Centre, says she was not aware that she had won and it was not until her name was announced for the second time that she realized what had happened.

Beverly Smith Lopez, Announcer

“The new Miss YWCA 1999, to the year 2000 goes to contestant number 3, Paulita Reyes. Miss Paulita Reyes is our new Miss YWCA.” (applause)

Paulita Reyes, Miss Y 1999-2000

“No, I was not even conscious that I was Miss Y. They gave me a bouquet and I went to the front and I was thanking them, but I didn’t know.”

Reyes says she did not expect to win and was more concerned about her cold that night.

Paulita Reyes

“The only thing that was bothering me was the cough and my throat because once I begin to cough, I get hoarse and I wouldn’t be able to deliver myself.”

J.W.

“But you did a pretty good job. You sang, “One day at a time” and then you actually won the title of Miss Talent.”

Paulita Reyes

“Unexpectedly I believe. The judges must have had a hard time with all of us. I don’t know what was in their minds but all I know is I walked away with the crown.”

Besides the crown, Reyes will be receiving a round trip ticket for two courtesy of Continental Airlines, five hundred dollars in cash, jewelry, a reclining chair and other prizes.

First runner up went to Norma Morter while Lillian Pandy captured second runner up. The YWCA says over three thousand people attended the Miss Y pageant this year.