3rd Runner-up Miss Texas Teen USA 2017, 2nd Runner-up 2016, Semi-finalist 2015
A native of McAllen in the Rio Grande Valley, Victoria was crowned Miss Texas USA on 5 September 2021 and represented Texas at the Miss USA 2021 pageant in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Passionate about her community, she has founded a non-profit organization, Victorious Angels, to help smaller or struggling non-profits that benefit children.
At first glance, Victoria might seem an unlikely candidate for the sparkling crown and prestigious title of Miss Texas USA. Growing up in an “outdoorsy family”, her favorite activities include shotgun shooting, fishing, and family time on the ranch. She was a state qualifier in Competitive Skeet Shooting. Along the way, she honed other skills. She graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Agricultural Communications and Journalism and became a confident public speaker. Her social media marketing and customer relations savvy serve her well in her position as a Social Media Marketing Manager. She is also in demand as an E-Comm/Print model for bridal and prom dresses, boutique clothing, and footwear. Her ambition is to own a marketing firm focusing on the beauty industry.
Unfortunately, like for many students, it was at the start of her college years that Victoria felt like she didn’t belong. A young Hispanic woman from a small town, who was confident, had pride in her culture and upbringing, all of a sudden felt judged for the color of her skin, was given awkward looks when speaking Spanish in public and just felt like she didn’t fit in. With love and encouragement from family and friends, she learned to stay true to herself and to overcome the uneasy feelings and prejudices that surrounded her. It is because of this experience that she felt the need to do more to help fight discrimination. She believes that culture and diversity training shouldn’t start in college or at orientation for new employment, but more needs to be done during our childhood years. Victoria believes in focusing on our future generations at an earlier age by teaching the importance of appreciating and respecting others’ cultures, religions, and traditions. She spends her spare time reading books to elementary-aged children, whose material focuses on embracing diversity and building self-confidence.
Victoria has also found her calling to serve the community. With a heart for the children in her community, Victoria founded a non-profit organization, Victorious Angels, to help smaller or struggling non-profits that benefit children. What better way to use her education and expertise in social media marketing, than to teach organizations how to best use social media platforms to expand their resources and their outreach. She assists in hosting virtual fundraisers and using her 10K+followers to bring awareness to the organizations and their missions.
Victoria is not one to give up. She says, “I have learned I won’t always succeed at everything I try to do, but I will always learn and grow from these experiences.” She loves to help young people overcome feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. She encourages them not to “hold back on who you are for anyone. God made us all unique. Embrace who you are.”
The on-stage moments, the tension of the final two and the glory of the crowning, here are Victoria’s state pageant photos.
Lights, camera, action! Professional photoshoots are one of the perks that comes from winning a title.
There’s nothing better than watching a contestant progress from year to year! Here’s a look back at Victoria’s previous pageant photos.
All beautiful things must come to an end, no matter how bittersweet. See Victoria’s farewell walk and other candids from the weekend she crowned her successor R’Bonney Gabriel as Miss Texas USA 2022.
Winning a state title is a sisterhood for life. Here are “after the crown” photos.
