The votes have been cast, and after a competitive 35th Annual Miss Carnaval Miami 2016 pageant, presented by Diet Coke, the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana has crowned Cuban-American Lelany Marie Barea Miss Carnaval Miami 2016. The 25-year-old graduate of Florida International University will be the female ambassador of Carnaval Miami 2016, will take part in Kiwanis Club of Little Havana community events and goodwill projects throughout the year, as well as represent South Florida during the Miss Florida USA pageant. Joining Barea as the Miss Carnaval Miami court are first runner-up Linette de los Santos, second runner-up Priscilla Ferreyra and third runner-up Gabriela Estefany Alvarez.
“Lelany is the epitome of what it means to become Miss Carnaval Miami 2016, the embodiment of beauty, poise, intelligence and dedication,” said Jerry Fernandez, president of the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana. “Many Miss Carnaval Miami titleholders have gone on to become positive role models for young ladies in our community and we believe Lelany will be an wonderful representative of the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana throughout Carnaval Miami and beyond.”
Barea is a Little Havana resident and a veteran of the Miss Carnaval Miami pageant, taking 1st runner-up in 2014 and third runner-up in 2015. The former Miss Miami Beach 2012 attended Immaculata–La Salle High School prior to graduating from Florida International University with a degree in business. Since competing in her first Miss Carnaval Miami pageant, Barea has taken an active role in the Kiwanis of Little Havana Foundation’s Crowns of Love, a program that provides pageant winners and court members the opportunity to give back to the community through educational programs, as well as other year-round Kiwanis initiatives.
“I am truly honored to be crowned Miss Carnaval Miami 2016 and thank the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana for providing me with an opportunity to carry on this legacy,” said Barea. “Being Miss Carnaval Miami is more than just a title, it is an opportunity to make a difference in the South Florida community and I look forward to becoming an ambassador of the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana and provide hope to thousands of children and families throughout the year.”
For more information about Carnaval Miami and upcoming events, please visit www.carnavalmiami.com or call 305-644-8888. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/
About the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana
The Kiwanis Club of Little Havana is an affiliate of Kiwanis International, a worldwide organization of volunteers dedicated to serving children in their communities. Formed in 1975, it is the oldest Latin, continuously meeting club in the United States and is committed to making a difference in the lives of thousands of South Florida families annually through service projects and fundraising initiatives. Club members volunteer thousands of hours each year to strengthen their community through yearly activities, including holiday giving, scholarship grants, back-to-school programs and the internationally recognized Calle Ocho Festival, including the various events of Carnaval Miami. For more information about the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana, please visit www.kiwanislittlehavana.
