Miami native Lissette Garcia, crowned Miss Florida USA 2011 during the 60th annual Miss Florida USA pageant on July 10, hopes to lend her voice to cancer awareness and spread her message of persistence.
Garcia, a graduate of Southwest Miami Senior High School, is studying at Miami-Dade College to become a physician’s assistant. For the past five years, she has been preparing for her future in the medical field as a polysomnography (sleep study) technician.
She is one of five siblings whose parents emigrated from Cuba more than 30 years ago.
Garcia got her start in the world of pageants as a teenager as a result of her love for modeling. After turning 18, she began entering bigger pageants, including the Miss USA state pageant, which she didn’t win. But she didn’t let that slow her down. Garcia went on to win the title of Queen of the World in Germany in 2006 and Miss Cuban American in 2007.
After returning from her travels, Garcia almost opted not to enter the Miss USA state pageant again. With support from her friends and the knowledge that this would be her last year to compete due to age restrictions as her motivation, she decided to enter.
Garcia hopes to inspire boys and girls alike to be persistent in making their dreams come true.
“It took me a while to reach my goal, but I did it,” she said. “I want everyone to know that you might not reach your goal right away, but don’t give up.”
Prompted by her grandmother, who died from ovarian cancer, Garcia also plans to work with the American Cancer Society and the Miami Children’s Hospital to bring awareness abnout the disease.
To book Miss Florida USA 2011, Lissette Garcia, for a speaking engagement, call 305-751-7001, ext. 8003.
