Emcee for "Ovations for the Cure" of Ovarian Cancer. Boston, 07

One of the most amazing things I've ever done is Emcee this Stuart Weitzman fashion show in Boston, thanks to the invitation of one of the sweetest women I've ever met, Debbie Soprano. God continues to put "angels" in my path who then put me in front of other angels. Such was the case here. It was a chance meeting with the AMAZING Leeza Gibbons that led to my being introduced to Ms. Chery Kennick (the City of Hope-Los Angeles) by a mutual friend, Mr. Miguel Gutierrez. See how that works?lol. Anyhow, I was asked to Emcee a fashion show featuring the stylish and elegant designs of Stuart Weitzman. As if that wasn't enough, I got to Co-Emcee the fashion show with Mrs. Weitzman who is so elegant and has a great sense of humour. One of the highlights of the fashion show for me was when a pair of shoes covered in metal studs came out and she leaned over doing something that is practically impossible to do to me, make me nervous! when she asked me, "so Rita...do you like studs?" I was so not expecting that to come from her! I absolutely loved her and hope that I get the chance to Emcee another Fundraising fashion show/event for this wonderful organization (Ovations for the Cure) started by a true angel, Mrs. Patricia Franchi-Flaherty whom we lost to Ovarian cancer shortly after this event.

Doing triple duty as Emcee, Host & Silent Auction Item?! at the Ronald McDonald House Charity 35th Annual Gala Fundraiser

I'm so grateful to God for continuing to give me ways to help others! When I reached out to Ronald McDonald House Charities to have them as guests on a "Community Affairs" Radio talk show that I used to Host on iHeart Radio in Miami  to help them promote this event, at the end of the interview, they surprised me asking me if I would consider being the Emcee for their 35th Annual Gala fundraiser!  ABSOLUTELY yes!  I also volunteered to be a Silent Auction ítem..yes, you read that right! I Volunteered myself and a fellow @CBS @Survivor Reality Show participant as a Silent Auction ítem: 

It was an honor to have been the Emcee for the 35th Annual Ronald Mc Donald House Charities Gala. This year it was held at the Donna E. Shala Student Center Ballroom at the University of Miami.  You can see a little of the beautiful view at the venue in the photo below 

with Soraya Rivera-Moya looking goregous in her emerald green gown!

 Besides being the Emcee...  I was also doing special coverage of the event for Latin Connection web TV.   Who was the inspiration behind the fouding of the Ronald Mc Donald House Charities? How did they raise the 1st 100K? How many Ronald Mc Donald Houses are there currently nationwide?  The answers from the Founders of Ronald Mc Donald House, Fran and Fred Hill plus special interviews with @Soraya Rivera-Moya, Dir. of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida  and Alexandra, recipient of a liver transplant and former ocupant at a Ronad Mc Donald's House PLUS hear from Fred and Fran Hill are here:http://www.latinconnectionmag.com/latin-connection-tv

With Soraya Rivera-Moya, Dir. of RMHC of South Florida at the Ronald Mc Donald House in Miami.

It was a night filled with delicious food courtesy of Aromas del Peru and groovin' to the sounds of Lucy Grau and, more importantly, testimonial that inspired donations to exceed the goal of 25K. I thank God for giving me this way to help this wonderful organization raise over 100K!  I visited the Ronald Mc Donald House in Miami.  While I was there, I saw many ways, besides montery donations that you can help! PLEASE, click the following link to see the MANY ways that you can HELP Ronald Mc Donald House Charities: www.rmhcsouthflorida.org 

I sign off being the proud sister of the designer of the gown I wore on the #redcarpet, a vintage #NIKOLAKI gown:) Can you guess why I wore gold? I'll give you another hint..I wore red polish...Still can't guess?  the Mc Donald colors! :)

Model/Emcee Double Duty during Aaron Ross' football camp weekend, June 2010

Very last minute, my agency here in San Antonio, Rome Talent, booked me to model and Emcee in a fashion show being held at the ATT Center courtyard as part of a series of events for the Aaron Ross Football Camp being held here in San Antonio in June, 2010. A couple of nights before, however, there was a fun basketball game at the Alamo Convocation Stadium featuring current & former NFL players. Since my son's a huge sports fan, I took them to the game. Thanks to Mr. Larry Williams (BLT entertainment) for the tickets to come watch the game with my kids and a couple of their friends. Here I am w/some of the basketball players in the background and with former NFL 49er,Green Bay Packer and New Orlean's Saint(among other teams)TJ Slaughter. Thanks to my son who breathes, eats, drinks and plays ALL sports, he recognized Sanya Richards, "The Fastest Woman in the World" of the 400m run. World Champion and 2X Olympic Gold Medalist. (below left)A couple of nights later at the ATT Center courtyard, I was pullin' double duty as Model/Emcee for the 4340 Agnes & Co. Fashion show:) Special thanks to Latoya Chenelle, the talented designer of 4340 Agnes & Co. for asking me to Emcee her show and for the special dress she designed especially for me to model that night! Also, a special shout out to my friend, Keely Klein for videotaping this for me! You can check out more footage of the fashion show at the 4340 Agnes & Company page on Facebook(http://www.facebook.com/pages/San-Antonio-TX/4340-Agnes-Company/363681712568

Beauty Pageant Queens with a Purpose: Emcee for Children's Miracle Network fundraiser, 2013

I'm wearing a NIKOLAKI gown designed by my brother Nick Verreos (#ritaverreos,#emcee,#nickverreos,#echoemalone)

Last year, a beautiful young girl I met while on a work trip to Los Angeles, Echoe Malone, asked me to help her raise funds for The Children's Miracle Network. When I went through my experience on SURVIVOR, I felt it was an answer to a prayer.  At 1st, I was so grateful to God for helping me get through being on that island without breaking down, neither physically, mentally or emotionally.   I knew that I had accepted that challenge for several reasons, one was to give my children a visual of their having a strong mommie that was going to get us back on our feet after a divorce that left me in San Antonio, a city where I knew no one and had to start a career to provide for my children on my own from zero. From the 1st day on that island, I decided to stay strong morally and not "sell out." To stay true to my values of being kind and respectful and see how far I could get in that game playing it with integrity. To most, it may seem as if I didn't win, but quite the contrary, it has helped me to open doors that would have been so much harder to do without this "calling card."  I had already been on a local morning show for 3 years as a Spokesperson for the biggest supermarket chain in Texas, HEB PLUS!  
Shortly after my return, I auditioned for and got the job of becoming the Host of a Real Estate program.  
Since then, fortunately my career as TV host/Spokesperson has slowly but steadily continued growing. I'm still working towards the opportunity of ultimately becoming the Host/Co Host of a TV show like "Good Morning America," or "The View!"  You gotta dream big:)
Another even more wonderful thing that happened was one of my 1st fans, a woman in Michigan, asked me if I would go to an event-alongside fellow SURVIVORS to do an event that would raise funds for abused children who where getting well in a place called "House of Hope."  She paid me a wonderful compliment by telling me that she reached out to me because she loved how I played the game of SURVIVOR being kind.

Bruce Kanegai: Survivor Panamá, Billy Garcia, Cristina Coria, Misty Holmes: Survivor Cooks Island, Jed Hildebrand: Survivor Thailand, Lisa Kieffer, John Pollack: Survivor Vanuatu.

From that moment on, I have been so grateful and humbled by the continous flow of invitations to help charities raise funds/awareness for their causes nationwide and in my community.  I chose to use the public image/name that being on SURVIVOR gave me to give and help others. This event is one more such answer to God's call to help others. When this young lady reached out to me, I dug into my frequent flyer miles to fly to Los Angeles and help her.  She wanted me to Emcee:)  Here are some images from that event where I'm so lucky to have been accompanied by my then boyfriend who...the very next day...gave me the SURPRISE of my life when he asked me to marry him and just like that event from "boyfriend" to fiancé!!! 

With my Co-Emcee, Chris Bryant

With Comedian, Stevie Mack

Emcee, "Diamonds Are Forever" IADT Fashion Show

I was so happy to get to Emcee another event benefitting Cystic Fibrosis and involving IADT. It turned out to be a muggy, but wonderful night at the W's ALOFT Hotel in San Antonio Texas. Mr. Hugh Farr, Director of the Lone Star Chapter of CFF was in attendance. I'm so grateful to him for the opportunity he gives me to help CFF by inviting me to Emcee their events. Thank you also to Jolissa and Stephen of Top Knotch Productions for, well, putting together such a Top Notch Fashion show. The models really worked the runway!

Emcee for "Adventure Day For All" Event in the City of Coral Gables (Special Needs)

So grateful to God for continuing to answer my prayers of sending me ways to help others through the work I'm so Blessed to do as a TV Host. Those who know me well, know that one of the causes that I've been championing for decades is helping those with Special Needs. In this instance, I was thrilled, so very honored and grateful to the City of Coral Gables for having me as Emcee for an AMAZING event they hold every year: Adventure Day for All. During ‘Disability Awareness Month,' it's a day to have fun in activities that are FREE & fun for EVERYONE.

A little sidenote-My hubby and I have been working on producing a film about inclusion- a love story between 2 adults with special needs based on a childhood friend of my husband's, called "Jimmy and Mia." Click here to see the Sizzle Reel of this touching and inspiring movie written by my husband, Carl Mergenthaler. So I was particularly happy to meet the actors from the ASC Inclusion Theatre Project👏🏽

#ritaverreos #emcee #specialneeds #inclusion

Emcee for IADT "Around The World" Fashion Show

It was my great pleasure and priviledge to Emcee a truly unique Fashion show at the International Academy of Design and Techonology in San Antonio. Ms. Cynthia Rangel, Program Chair, extended this wonderful invitation to me. My brother, Nick Verreos, instilled in me a Passion for Fashion! and so I'm always so happy to be a part of the fashion world, sometimes as a model, and now, as an Emcee for fashion shows such as this one to help promote aspiring Fashion Design students.

Here I am with the Producer of the Fashion show, Ms. Coco and some of the models.

1st Latina Emcee for 2012 RINGSIDE SA Boxing Event!

RINGSIDESA, GALA 2012

NOVEMBER 2, 2012

FREEMAN COLISEUM

3201 EAST HOUSTON STREET

SAN ANTONIO TX

RING ANNOUNCER

LUPE CONTRERAS

MISTRESS OF CEREMONY

RITA VERREOS

NATIONAL ANTHEM PERFORMED

BY PATSY TORRES

6:00 PM - RECEPTION

7:00 PM - DINNER & PROGRAM

9:00 PM - DANCE

Several years ago, I was asked to be a "Ringside" girl at a boxing event in San Antonio. Since I'm no where near being a "girl," I was extremely flattered and accepted the "gig"! Lol Please, click here(http://ritaverreos.blogspot.com/search?q=celebrity+boxing) to see images from that event which was the 1st Annual Ringside SA. That one was held at the University of the Incarnate Word's Burton Grossman Salon. Thanks to very hard work and excellent PR, the event has catapulted in size to this years location; The Freeman Colisseum.  What an Honor to go from "Ringside" girl to becoming the 1st Latina to Emcee this event. special thanks to Maritza Quiroz of CE Group for recommending me. 

I'm not gonna lie, after Emceeing the 2012 RINGSIDE SA Boxing Event, I was even more grateful to havebeen asked to Emcee and not box! These were serious bouts...blood flying and all, yikes!  Lord knows I paid in my dues on SURVIVOR FIJI-breaking my cartiledge in my nose during the "Sumo Wrestling Challenge" was enough:( 

3201 EAST HOUSTON STREET, 

ATTIRE: BLACK TIE OPTIONAL

....I Survived, yay! 5 years later, all cleaned up:)

It was a pleasure to be in the Ring with the eloquent and very well know Ringside Fight Announcer, Mr. Lupe Contreras

 This event raised funds for the Southtexas Hispanic Fund. Kudos to the following talented and very professional women heading the Production of this succesful event: , Maricela Espinoza-Garcia & Marisela Barrera. People usually say "God works in mysterious ways."  In my life, God, actually, works in very clear ways. A few days ago, at a the "Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas" 5th year Anniversary event (https://www.girlscouts-swtx.org/) I met Mr. Dennis E. Noll,"SA Area Foundation" one of the main sponsors of Ringside SA (left). I was pleasantly surprised to find out was a big SUVIVOR fan!

Emcee for Miami Rescue Mission 2019 Masquerade Gala at the Four Seasons Hotel, Miami

So grateful to God for continuing to put in my path ways to help others.  Honored to have been the Emcee for the Miami Rescue Mission 2019 Masquerade Gala which took place in October at the Four Seasons Hotel, Miami.  All proceeds from the event going to the Miami Rescue Mission to distribute to women, children and men alike who are in need giving them support on all levels. PLEASE Click on following link to view video of the event:  Emcee, Miami Rescue Mission Masquerade Gala

Emcee for "Women in Heels" Fundraiser for DRESS for SUCCESS Charity to help Abused Women, 2014

A couple of months ago, a fellow Beauty Queen Title Holder, Valerie Anne Chavirra, Mrs. Rivercity United America 2013 approached me to Emcee an Abused Women's Shelter Fundraiser Fashion Show. She had seen my work to help the DRESS FOR SUCCESS Foundation. I was Honored to be a Local "Celebrity" Spokesperson, alongside "THE BIGGEST LOSER" Trainer, Jillian Michaels who was the DRESS FOR SUCCESS National Celebrity Spokesperson or a Marathon Fundraiser last year. Please, click here for images/video of that event! : http://ritaverreos.blogspot.com/search?q=Dress+For+Success

The Women in Heels Fashion show, thankfully, was a HUGE success, thanks, of course, to ALL the wonderful giving people who participated including, one of my dearest friends, Dr. Thomas Jeneby, pictured here w/some of the models from the show. They are holding a HUGE Gift Basket worth close to $1,000 worth of Beauty Products from his Spa: Black Spa. (#drthomasjeneby)  Besides Dr. Jeneby being a warm hearted, giving philanthropist, he is one of the best Plastic Surgeons in San Antonio.  For more info. about him and his practice, please, click here: http://www.drjenebyplasticsurgery.com

Dr. Jeneby, Valerie Anne Chavira and the Director of Dress for Success, San Antonio, Pamela Taylor

I was doing double duty as Emcee and Host of the webshow LATIN CONNECTION TV!

(#ritaverreos,#latinconnectiontv,#varietywebshow,#dressforsuccesssanantonio,#pamelataylor,#womeninheelsfoundation,#fashionshow,#fundraiser) 

Emceeing the Barbie Fashion show at Cabo Tropical Grille Lounge, 2010

Ms. Coco Warren, a talented Fashion Show Producer student of IADT, San Antonio, asked me to Emcee this event. Ms. Coco's productions are alwasy so professionally done. Sign me up ANYTIME she's producing anything. I've had the pleasusre of Emeceeing another event for her. A fashion show during the Water Symposium (Search:Emcee) on here and you can see that event:). This one was simply lighthearted and fun! Several IADT students and graduates presented their "Barbie" inspired designs at Cabo Tropical Grille. I couldn't help but think of my brother's Project Runway winning "Barbie Doll" design challenge:) (www.nickverrreos.blogspot.com/barbie). Here I am caught on the Red carpet on the way in to Emcee the show, by the beautiful Valerie Garza of 201tv:

Emcee for IADT/CFF "Diamonds Are Forever" Fashion Show 09

I was so happy to get to Emcee another event benefitting Cystic Fibrosis and involving IADT. It turned out to be a muggy, but wonderful night at the W's ALOFT Hotel in San Antonio Texas. Mr. Hugh Farr, Director of the Lone Star Chapter of CFF was in attendance. I'm so grateful to him for the opportunity he gives me to help CFF by inviting me to Emcee their events. Thank you also to Jolissa and Stephen of Top Knotch Productions for, well, putting together such a Top Notch Fashion show. The models really worked the runway!

Emcee for SouthTexas Blood & Tissue Center..

My dear friend and Host of Longhorn Live, better known as "Longhorn Gene," asked me to Emcee an event commemorating the Aggie/Longhorn Bonfire Tragedy that happened 10 yrs. ago. A friendly Aggie/Longhorn Blood drive competition took place at this event that Longhorn Gene asked me to Emcee. It was fun to see current DA, Susan Reed's competitive spirit and I thank her for the very sweet words she said when introducing me. I wish I had the video, but something happened with my camcorder that froze the dvd:((. Here I am with the Honorable (& competitive!) Susan Reed.

Emcee, Abused Children's Shelter event,2010

Cynthia Rangel has been so kind to ask me to Emcee so many of the IADT Fashion shows. This one was no exception. It was "Back to School" fashion shows featuring designs from former IADT students, Geisha Inc. (Angelica Sandoval) & Mikaeli Designs (Mandy Gallegos). The GAP also provided outfits. Ms.Karla Castillon was kind to catch this opening presentation of mine as Emcee of the event.

Rita as Emcee..for the "Ovarian Cancer" Stuart Weitzman Fashion Show

With my newfound friend/angel, Debbie Soprano, Chair, Ovations for The Cure
Thanks to Ms. Leeza Gibbons and Mr. Michael Gutierrez, a couple of weeks after meeting Leeza last year, I was asked to Emcee a #StuartWeitzman fashion show in Anahaeim benefitting Ovations For the Cure which helps raise awareness and funds for the research and cure of #Ovariancancer (see links section). I dedicate this post to the timeless, Patty Franchi-Flaherty, who founded this organization and will live on forever. Patty, you are an angel that I know is in peace, but not resting because I know that you are watching over us and making sure that we continue to keep your dream and fight alive. It was an AMAZING experience for me and the first BIG event for me as an Emcee. Some day, I will figure out how to edit and upload on You Tube so that I can upload this video and the other events I've Emceed. For now, with my two little ones to tend to, my time is still soo limited...so images will have to do :-)

Emcee for The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Mixer

I'm so honored to have been asked to Emcee the first of a series of events for The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, ultimate, Tower Climb 2010! I was so happy to have Mr. Hugh Farr ask me if I would be interested. Over and over, my faith in God is rewarded as HE keeps putting me at the right place at the right time. When I ran into Hugh recently at a local IADT Fashion Show, was one of those times. Something made him invite me to Emcee this event without his knowledge that I had another reason for wanting to be part of this cause. A couple of years ago, a dear friend and fellow Greek,Randall Boudouris made headlines when he bicycled cross country raising money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation because one of his daughters suffers from this disease. It's for this reason, that I feel so fortunate to have this opportunity to help The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and my friend, Randy. Please, join us at this and all upcoming events to help us raise funds to find the cure for this debilitating and fatal disease.

Emcee, San Antonio Water Symposium 2010!

Here I am, (wearing a vintage NIKOLAKI, Nick Verreos, design) with the high school student designers.



Ms. Coco, an IADT graduate and Fashion Show Producer asked me to Emcee a fashion show that was part of a line-up of a Symposium about the state of water worldwide. I was so happy to be a part of this event. The designers were High School students which I find AMAZING as I remember my brother, who is an established and well-known fashion designer today, couldn't bring to life one of his sketches when he was in high school. So, I'm very impressed with these kids and commend Ms. Coco for giving them this venue to get the practice and exposure they need..and for giving me the oppportunity to Emcee this interesting event.

It's all about Latin Music! From Red Carpet Correspondant to Emcee

Several months ago, I was happy to have gotten asked to be a Red Carpet Correspondant for Marvelez Productions (http://www.marvelezmedia.com)at the Salsa Music and Dance Congress held at the fabulous Grand Hyatt in downtown San Antonio, TX.  It was an all day, all night, all weekend affair...usually that's how we Latino's roll! Life is too short, you have to enjoy it, live it to the fullest and live it to the fullest they did! I interviewed the best of the best in Salsa Dancers from all over the US, Central and South America.  I felt particularly excited and proud to meet my fellow Venezuelans pictured here with me. I know we have the Salsa rhythm in our blood! Viva Venezuela mi patria querida! It's also always wonderful to run into my friend, the Talented Ray Colao (below) his band is one of my favorites, please: "like" him on Facebook: (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Colao-Entertainment/202773773088072)

Last, but NOT least, the main attraction of the Salsa Congress, meeting a name in his own right, following closely the footsteps of his legendary father, Tito Puente (to my left, below)  During the interview, I mentioned his "sister" the beautiful Sheila E.-because I'm a big fan of hers.  Little did I know that I'd get to interview her a few months later! (Read below:)   Special thanks to @Julio Velez, to my left, for asking me to be the Red Carpet Correspondant at this wonderful event. Also to @Wayne Zamora, Owner of Latin Connection Magazine, for recommending me to Mr. Velez. Please, click here if you want to see some past Latin Connection Magazine covers that I'm so Honored and Blessed to have been featured in  (http://ritaverreos.blogspot.com/search?q=Latin+Connection) 

CELEBRATING more Latin music, Last November, I was very happy to  Emcee one of Main Plaza Conservancy's funnest events: The Texas Latin Music Festival! Once again, as it is with us Latinos:)  It was an ALL day affair, filled with the most talented singers, musicians, artists while the audience delected in the tastiest food & drinks throughout the afternoon on thru midnight!  The crowd slowly started arriving at noon and the Main Plaza filled up as the afternoon wore on to near full capacity crowd at midnight.  Those who attended enjoyed the lineup of a wondeful varierty of music-so characteristic, I feel, of the variety that the city of San Antonio, in general, has to offer.   Please, enjoy the images and videos:  

Ole! SUSPIRO FLAMENCO

A visit from this representative of the Indian community in San Antonio

What a treat to meet the Beautiful and Talented Patricia Vonne. I LOVED her unique style of music so much, I approached her to feature her music as soundtrack for  a movie that I'm acting in and Co-Producing called "Jimmy and Mia." Little did I know Patricia is a veteran of the movie world. Her brother is none other than the movie director, Robert Rodriguez!  To see previews of the movie I'm working on, please, visit our website: www.jimmyandmia.com and "like" us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/jimmyandmia.  Thank you!

It's always wonderful to run into friends I've made throughout my career on television and Emceeing events.  I was so happy to see the classy Carlito Miranda, Chris Perez' Manager, whom I had met a couple of months earlier when I Hosted a special "Meet and Greet" book signing to promote Chris's book: To Selena, With Love at Wonderland Mall, San Antonio, TX. Here I am interviewing Chris at the 1st Annual @PEOPLE en Espanol Magazine festival held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in September 2012.  I also had the Honor and, am not gonna lie, was a bit Star-Struck when I got to meet and interview the SUPER Talented and ever glamorous, Ms. Sheila E!    For even more images of the Latino Music Festival, please, visit: (http://www.mainplazaconservancy.org/38901.html )  Special thanks to @Jane Pauley-Flores for asking me to Emcee the Plaza Conservancy's 2012 Latino Music Festival.