Special Guest at the Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas Investiture Ceremony

Last year, I had a wonderful opportunity as a "Guest" Panel Speaker in a GIRL SCOUTS Forum about "Healthy Body Images" for girls/women:  http://ritaverreos.blogspot.com/search?q=girl+scouts.  A few months ago, I was very happy to get invited to help induct 80 new middle school age members to become Gamma Sigma Pearls! Please, click here for more info:http://www.p16plus.org/grade-level/middle-school/gamma-sigma-pearls-make-harlandale-history/

At Charles Boggess Center, Harlandale ISD ..

with several of the Gamma Sigma inductees

CONGRATULATIONS to the Girl Scouts on their 100th Year Anniversary!  Below with  the exemplary Rose Gonzalez Perez, Interim President of the Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas.

Beauty, Wellness Tips/Fashionista on UTILISIMA TV network!

I dont't even know where to begin to describe how this AMAZING opportunity came about for me. Rewind 20 yrs.: I was an Intern for Interscope Communications where I met and worked for David Madden, one of the Top Feature Film Producers of the company at the time. Fast forward 20 yrs: I reconnect with David to find, not to my surprise, the current President of Fox TV in Los Angeles.  He asked the wrong question: "So, Rita, what are you up to?" and next thing you know, he saw me go from being stranded on an island to seeing my work as TV Host/Spokesperson/Beauty Pageant Coach:  (http://ritaverreos.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-new-demo-reel-aug-09.html).  Next thing you know, I was at Fox TV offices in Santa Monica having a meeting with the President of Fox Tv International.  The stars were aligned for me!  A month later,  I was on an airplane to Fox Tv International  Studios in Argentina to film 8 shows as the "Beauty/Fashion Tips" Co-Host for the new Latin cable network, UTILISIMA (http://www.utilisima.com/us) It's a STYLE network in Spanish that Fox Tv International launched this year on US cable tv to select markets including New York, San Diego, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami and Chicago. Above is my 1st appearance on "Hola Martin,"  hours after disembarking my 10 hour flight to Argentina. They told me I wasn't going to be filming that day! See, folks, that's why you should always be "on it" or "workin' it!" Thank God I wasn't donning my SURVIVOR Fiji look! LOL

A very different way to read the newspaper!

my pocahontas pigtails look

my scarf look

How to deal with "Bad Hair Day"...among my circle, I've become known for pigtails and scarves..which everyone thinks is me being fashionable...actually, it's me dealing w/bad hair day! LOL

and for fun and easy way to do your hair: and one more fun way to do your nails, a different kind of French Manicure look: and saying goodbye to 2011 w/some last Fashion Tips!  Stay tuned for my upcoming new show on Fox Tv's Newest Latin network, UTILISIMA!  UTILISIMA can be seen on most mayor cable carriers, but if your city doesn't feature it, be sure to request it on Time Warner Cable or Dish!  www.utilisima.com

Emceeing to Help the "Make-A-Wish-Foundation"

Several years ago, thanks to my work as "Stage Presence/Runway Modeling"  Coach for the Miss California USA Pageant, I was able to help "Make A Wish" come true for a beautiful young girl suffering from a chronic skin disease.  I taught her how to work the Runway and work it she did! Unfortunately, I don't have a video of that. I didn't realize that so many years later, I would be summoned, once again to help the "Make A Wish" Foundation (see kids, those of  you in the Entertainment industry, here's some advice: document ALL your work because you NEVER know!)  Although I don't have that video, here's a link to a similar type job I did and the Runway walk I teach:  http://ritaverreos.blogspot.com/2011/02/tvshowcanada2010_22.html

With a beautiful TRUE Survivor & Make A Wish recipient:)

This time, however, I was so happy to get asked to help the "Make A Wish" Foundation as the Emcee for their Donor Recognition Awards Reception.  A Huge thank you to Ms. Amy Hone, Director of  Development for South Texas(above)   It was a pleasure and a Blessing to do this event. 

Feature Article in ELITE magazine, 2011

Thank you so much to Felix Salinas for this wonderful article. Click 5 times on the arrow, then Click "EXPAND"  to read.

Open publication - Free publishing - More elite

Emcee for the " La Prensa Foundation" Scholarship Gala @ The Omni Hotel,2011

Last year, the Duran family Honored me with an "Outstanding Achievement in Entertainment" Award: http://ritaverreos.blogspot.com/search?q=La+Prensa.  As if that weren't Honor enough, this year, they asked me to the be Emcee, alongside the Keynote Speaker, the Beloved & Talented Albert Flores.  They also asked me to be the voice narrating the Videos that highlighted the Honorees that night. An INCREDIBLE Video Production done by Quarter Moon Productions.http://www.facebook.com/pages/Quarter-Moon-Productions/195033853843854?sk=wall

It was a very special night for all close to 4,000 Guests who attending. Made more special for me because I was accompanied by my parents, Jim & Raquel, my best gf, Liezel Patton and my two amazing children, Alain and Casia.  Alain was my videographer (takes him a few seconds to get himself situated:) Above: w/the Dashing and Beloved, Albert Flores, Meterologist on WOAI, abc, San Antonio. The whole La Prensa team worked ARDUOUSLY to put this succesful event together. Special thank to Thomas Ramirez, Patricia Saenz and Ana Cristina-for the beatuiful follow-up, front page article she wrote in La Prensa. Please, Click here to read full article:http://www.laprensasa.com/1644_front-page-news/1344999_la-prensa-foundation-reconocio-a-destacados-lideres-de-san-antonio.html

With the Beloved Tino Duran, Founder and President of the La Prensa Newspaper and Foundation & Albert Flores,  WOAI Meterologist (& SUPER Talented Producer/Post Producer. We've become close friends in this past month working on my new TV Host Demo Reel at his company, that I HIGHLY recommend, DMI Productions)

 

So Happy & Grateful for the opporutnity they gave me to Host a 4,000 crowd of  Elite Guests at the Omni Hotel. (I'm wearing a NIKOLAKI design from my brother, Nick Verreos' collection.)

Special Salute for a 3 Star General @ Market Square

Miss Bexar County 2011 (a girl I Coached for Miss Texas USA),  3 Star General Ricardo Sanchez and TTW Magazine Editor at Large, Cathy Cardenas

Cathy Cardenas, ESPN Austin DJ-Stephen Foster

Monica Dolph, Robert Romo (WALMART director & Pres. of SA Sports Assoc.),Dr. Cardenas, "Longhorn" Gene

This was a wonderful event commemorating 2 very special men of Latino decent, Dr. Cardenas and 3 Star General Ricardo Sanchez. It was a privilege to be invited to Present these outstanding Gentlemen with Awards from the San Antonio Sports Organization, recognizing their stellar achievements that day.  Thank you to my dear friend and Co-Host of Longhorn Live Radio,"Longhorn Gene,"  for making me a part of  presentation.

STRIKE A POSE for Breast Cancer Celebrity Calendar, 2011

CharityMcCurdy(WOAI News Radio Host), Elf Louise, Karen Grace (Kens 5 Weekend News Anchor) and Me!

Karen Grace, Charity McCurdy, Me, Delaine Mathieu (WOAI news anhor), CJ Cruz(BMP Radio personality), Jennifer Broome (beloved former meteorologist anchor, WOAI),Karen Martinez(evening news anchor, Fox29 & currently battling breast cancer) & AraCeli(actress/tv personality).

Vanessa Johnston(Owner, Sundance Photo Arts-co-producer of the Strike a Pose Calendar)

Most, by now, know of a very painful loss I had last year..the passing of my best childhood girlfriend, Diedra Auci Bradshaw and my fellow SURVIVOR castaway and friend, Jenn Lyon, to breast cancer.  Being the "Guardian Angels" that they are, they felt my pain and, being my friends, they wanted to see me as they loved seeing me most, smiling.  Within a month of their passing, I received an invite to be featured as one of the models in the very 1st "Strike a Pose" for Breast Cancer Celebrity Calendar. An idea that came from Jim and Vanessa Johnston as they struggled to help a dear friend of theirs and a beloved woman of San Antonio, affectionately known as "Elf Louise."  Louise Locker has been battling breast cancer. Like many women in her position, she has no health insurance (I'm one of those women, btw:(.  Jim & Vanessa came up with this calendar to help her raise funds for her treatment.  Louise, being the giver she is, accepted only if the donations were to also go to Susan G. Komen foundation. Above is my page. I chose the month of July because it's my bday month, Yay!  The "look" of the Calendar was the 40's Hollywood Glam.  When my mom heard I was doing this, she busted out with the film "Gilda," starring Rita Hayworth...so, my main image, I'm giving "Gilda," thanks to an exquisite gown designed by the MOST talented designer...yes, you guessed it..my brother, Nick Verreos (NIKOLAKI).  In my swimsuit "look," I blatantly copied the cover of Vanity Fair that featured Elizabeth Taylor during the Richard Burton years (again, mom Raquel to the rescue...those who know my mom aren't surprised to read this..she found this "vintage" swimsuit at Walmart!!!).  My last "look," I begged for because I wanted to do an homage to my Father, a WW2 Vet and to ALL our soldiers so off I went to an Army Military Supply Store (those who are very close to me know that I'm all about saving money!) I found the "Andrew Sisters" outfit for $3:)  Yay!

This cause, as you have just read, is very near and dear to my heart.  A force stronger than myself, probably my friend Diedra cuz she's a tough cookie like me, was making me go BEYOND just voluteering to be a model in it. So, off I went on a mission to do EVERYTHING in my power to use this calendar to raise funds and awareness for Breast Cancers so that others wouldn't have to go through what Diedra, Jenn myself and everyone who knew these 2 angels had to go through.  One of the 1st events that we did to help sell the calendars was set up by my fellow models also went beyond the call of duty, Comedienne Eva Cambell Morales organized a "Meet and Greet" at the LOL Club: Here we are on the Stage at the LOL Club talking about the Calendar:

The "Rita Crown" Ring!

                                                      Rita Crown Ring NEW!!

Item# Rita35

$35.00

Size: 678

Availability: Usually ships the next business day.

Product Description

Our beautiful Rita crown ring is created with the finest Austrian crystals and plated in rose gold with a darling dangling crown attached.

This crown ring was inspired by my friend, Rita Verreos, a former Miss Venezuela and Fiji Survivor television personality. I like to wear this rose gold dangling crown ring on my pinkie finger, but it will be spectacular and attention-getter on any finger you chose. The gold crown charm has a large crystal that floats inside. Made with the finest Austrian crystal stones and beautifully plated in a rose gold finish. This is a must-have for all you "royals" and great gift for the princess or queen in your life. This limited edition crown ring is available in sizes 6,7,8. Feel royal every day - wear a crown!

Click here if you want to see this and ALL the AMAZING Holly Hardwick jewelry designs!

Modeling one of the Holly Hardwick designed crowns

with Krystin Admire, a Miss California contestant that Ms. Hardwick hired me to Coach last year

I'm beyhond THRILLED and was very pleasantly shocked/surprised, to say the least!, to get this very special "honor" from the most amazing Beauty Pageant Jewelry designer in the market, Ms. Holly Hardwick. Ms. Hardwick also provides a very exclusive weekend "bootcamp" training/Coaching for Beauty Pageants. I was fortunate to have gotten recommended as her Stage Presence/Runway Modeling Coach by Keylee Sanders, a Director of the Miss California USA Pageant. I've been the Stage Presence/Runway Modeling Coach for the Miss California USA pageant for the past 6 years.(we just WON our 1st Miss USA title, btw! (click here to see Miss CAlifornia: our 1st Miss USA!!)  

Commending SURVIVOR on the Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas Healthy Media Images Panel

• April Ancira, Vice President, Ancira I-10 Auto Complex 
• Lisa Dollinger, Chief Communications Officer, Clear Channel Communications
• Veronica Esparza, President & CEO, Absolutely Delicious Catering 
• Fernando A. Guerra, M.D., M.P..H., Public Health Consultant 
• Marie Ferdinand-Harris, WNBA All-star, Phoenix Mercury
• Mileka Lincoln, Anchor/Reporter, KABB-TV  
• Susan Mengden, Ph.D., Director, Eating Disorder Center
  at San Antonio 
• The Honorable Laura Parker, Judge, 386th District Court
• Ursula Pari, Anchor, KSAT 12 
• Elsa Ramon, Co-anchor, WOAI  
• Rita Verreos, Survivor: Fiji contestant, TV spokesperson  
• Claudia Zapata, Registered Dietitian and Columnist,
  San Antonio Express-News
• with Special Guest Nelson W. Wolff, Bexar County Judge

 I was so honored to have gotten invited, by my friend, Brad Mayhar and also by a mutual friend of my children's peditarician, Dr. Melanie Mitchell, to be one of the Panelists on this Discussion. A topic that I have lived 1st hand, since participating in the Miss Venezuela pageant in 1988. The Miss Venezuela pageant is INFAMOUS for the arduous training and expectations they place on us contestants.  I lived it..if you'll pardon the pun, I "Survived" it.  It was so tough being so young, 18 years old., and being forced to diet..even though I didn't need to (I was a professional ballerina for 10 years so I was in shape) but that's just how the Miss Venezuela pageant operates.  That ended up screwing up my metabolism and started messing with my body image:(  For years I then went on to continue to put those unrealistic pressures on myself , starving myself of essential fats by following non-fat diets, exaggerated exercise routines, all the while truly believing I was doing what was right because that's what the Media showed and highlighted.  I now, thank God, that I put my body through that non sense when I was so young. We're so much more resilient when we're young. It took my getting pregnant to bring me back to the original healthy body image that my parents had instilled in me.  So, a whole 10years of that mess!!  April Ancira shared a similar story on her panel that morning, bravely sharing that she fell prey to anorexia and bulimia..I wasn't far behind.  This is why now I'm ADAMANTLY against "thinness"  being highlighted as something good. This is why I now Coach the girls for the Miss California USA pageant, among others, to share my story and help them have HEALTHY body images. This is why I was THRILLED to speak on this panel. I commend the Girl Scouts for putting something like this together and felt so honored to be included among such distinguished women that morning. I was asked to specifically talk about what tv can do to help give Healthy Images for Girls.  Here's what I had to say:

Getting inducted into the "Girl Scouts" (never 2 late!)Receiving my medal from the CEO of the Girl Scouts of  Southwest Texas, Mrs. Ana Maria Chavez (currently featured in a wonderful cover article in San Antonio Magazine)

with my fellow Panel-to my right, Claudia Zapata-Elliot

With Brad Mayhar, one of the organizers of this event and Mileka Lincoln, weekend news anchor on Fox

An impromptu video that the Chair asked me to do at the completion of the event.

Grid Iron Heroes goes Hollywood...or is it Hollywood goes San Antonio?

Friday Night Lights joined forces with the Spinal Chord Injury foundation, "Grid Iron Heroes," I've been so fortunate to receive an invite to attend the Hit TV show, Friday Night Lights Season Premieres.  Thanks, in large part to the blessing of having Chris Canales, the reason behind his father, Hero, Eddie Canales' (above) founding this amazing organization to help football athletes who received spinal chord injuries doing what they love to do most, play football.  Chris, I'm so blessed to have had as a supporter of my participation on SURVIVOR..a title better suited for him! I'm so grateful to him and his family for always making me a part of this exciting event. This year, doubly exciting for me because my son was my date! (below, arriving in style thanks to A-Awesome Limos for sending me this special ride..if you look behind me you'll get a rare peek at my son)

with Kyle Chandler

With Eddie Canales, Founder/Owner of GRID IROIN HEROES & 2011 CNN Hero of the Year Nominee

With Connie Britton

with Jesse Plemmons (my son recognized him as the Bully from the
 "Like Mike" movie:(

 About to be whisked away by A-Awesome Limosines!.

The second part was a sad exciting. Being the last season of "Friday Night Lights" brought out pretty much the WHOLE cast as well some local familiar faces like my friend, Y100 morning show co-host, Jesse James (below) who told me he was HUGE fan of this show and, was fortunate to become friends with Brad..in fact, some spotted them playing a round of golf the morning after this event at the JW Marriott Resort! To the right, on the Red Carpet with Tanya Sammis, President of Sammis & Ochoa PR, the firm that put together this event.

Runway Fashion Expert at the Temecula Reality Rally for Breast Cancer, 2011!

THANK YOU to my fellow CBS SURVIVOR Castaway, Gillian Larsen, for inviting me to be a part of this and help give my grain of sand to "Michelle's Place," a very special Breast Cancer Resource Center.  A few of us arrived the night before the event and gathered for dinner at the Pechanga Casino and Resort. Here I am w/fellow Reality Show gals:






Below,an Autograph signing where I got to sit next to my SURVIVOR FIJI  "Ravu" Tribe-member and Fan Favorite, Yau-Man to my left and, to my right, Godwin Cho, of the "Cho Brothers" Amazing Race Teams! 

Click on the purple link , forward to minute 2:56 to see a little bit of my participation. I'm sorry they cut out the part of me showin' them how to work the runway walk! Reality Nation At The Reality Rally!  Here I am showing the Organizer of this event,Gillian Larsen & another fellow SURVIVOR Castway, the stunning Laura Morrett , how to strike a pose.

  To the left, a quick intro to the "Fashion Challenge" that I was in charge of ,as the "Runway/Fashion Expert" guiding Rally tea(below)ms to put together outfits picked out for them, to be approved by me...and then, the challenge...workin' the Runway....and making sure I don't vote them off..LOL.  If they got Ms. Rita's seal of approval, then they had immunity in the Rally...LOL

Erwin & Godwin Cho(Amazing Race, 10),Todd Herzog (Winner, Survivor China) & a fellow friend of the organizer, Gillian Larsen and mine, Lance Zeno)

I ,  Above, "Say What Sports" wanted me to "Get My Smack On"  ....and then some!  Below,  Giving a "Bark" out to  "Bark Buckcle UP! an organization that encourages you to buckle up your doggie when you take him in your car for a ride:) I found a way to incorporate my doggie into this video even from miles away!That evening, we were transported to a gorgeous Temecula Winery, Wilson Creek, complete with Hot Air Balloon Ride! Here I am with my "twin" Julie Berry..She has NO idea the pressure   I felt being compared to her!!  An accomplished SURVIVOR Castaway herself, she was also Jeff Probst's girlfriend of several years.  Below a shot of about 1/3 of the group that participated in the "Temecula Reality Rally."  If you're a Reality Show fan, you may recognize a few of the people in the photo. For example, sporting his signature bow-tie look, Mr. Bob Crowley, Winner of SURVIVOR Gabon. It took me awhile to place the man lying in front of everyone..besides being an "Amazing Race" participant w/his brother, Mark Munoz is the Jockey who rode the horse in the movie SECRETARIAT:)

Jodi Winceski (The Amazing Race,14)  & I, ready to board the Hot Air Balloon! 

Arriving at the Red Carpet for the Final Evening's Wrap Party at Temeku Hills Country Club. I'm wearing one of my brother's, NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos & David Paul, Vintage designs:)

Emcee, Saint Phillip of Jesus Red & White Scholarship Gala, March, 2011

I received a wonderful request from Mrs.Valerie Vasquez whom I met at the Hispanic Heritage Association Gala last year. (http://ritaverreos.blogspot.com/search?q=Hispanic+Heritage) I'm so thankful that she remembered me and contacted me, to do this event for St. Phillip of Jesus Elementary Catholic school.  This was a wonderful Black Tie Dinner w/Silent Auction to celebrate exemplary students and present their parents with their children's awards. It was so touching to see the pride in the parents as their children were rewarded for their perfect attendance and or exemplary grades. Thank you, Valerie, for making me a part of this!

Co-Host, Valentine's Day event at DILLARDS

Giving some special Valentine's Day gift ideas alongside Michael Quintanilla (SA Express News fashion editor) & Ursula Pari (KSAT News Anchor). Hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine's Day. Remember to show your special loved one how much you love and appreciate them in some way, EVERY day, not just on Valentine's Day! A special thanks to the General Manager of the Makeup and Perfume Department, the exquisite Delia Suciu, for inviting me to be a part of this event..and a shout out to my boyfriend's little boy, Elijah...who was my videographer:)