Suffield resident and recent Suffield High School graduate Isabelle “Mandy” Young Guzmán was crowned Miss Puerto Rico of Greater Hartford on May 27, 2023, at the Miss Puerto Rico of Greater Hartford Cultural Pageant.
Isabelle Guzman, Miss Puerto Rico of Greater Hartford accepts congratulations from Suffield Superintendent of Schools Van Tasel.
The pageant, which was held at the Greater Hartford Arts Council, featured girls of Puerto Rican descent between the ages of 7 and 18, each of whom represented their family’s hometown in Puerto Rico. Isabelle, 17, represented Utuado.
For her traditional dress, or “traje tipico,” Isabelle presented the cultural wear of her indigenous Taino ancestors. For her talent, she danced an emotional and uplifting dance dedicated to Hurricane Maria and Puerto Rican empowerment.
Isabelle is honored to hold the title and appreciates the opportunity to represent her Puerto Rican community. Unlike beauty pageants, this pageant focuses on historical and cultural education and preservation.
Isabelle would like to thank the Connecticut Institute of Community Development (CICD) for hosting the pageant. She would also like to share that the CICD is now recruiting young ladies within the Greater Hartford area for the pageant of 2024.