Coaching another "Top 3" Beauty Pageant Winner!

 I'm so happy to have gotten a chance to Coach a very pretty and sweet girl for the National American Miss Pageant.  I've been in a Judge in this pageant, about 6 years ago and I have to tell you, I don't know which is harder, competing or judging!!  The level of professionalism of this system reminds me very much of the demanding Miss Venezuela organization. They expect very prepared contestants and that's just what they got in the contestant that came to me for Coaching:)(#beautypageantcoach,#ritaverreos)
 I'm grateful that her equally beautiful mother, Julie, entrusted me with Coaching Emily.  We worked for about a month, during which time I applied my tried "Ms.Rita" techniques that I got from receiving the training I went through, in my day, when I was a Miss Venezuela(#missvenezuela,#missmunicipiovargas) contestant.  Here we are, days before the show, making sure her pose(below) and gown were just right!

After lots of very fun work, Emily did an amazing job and came out with a Top 3 win!  CONGRATULATIONS, Emily and family. I'm so very proud of you. I remember during our first session, her mom said to me, we'll be happy if we make it into the Top 15. With over 103 contestants, I can see why they would have been happy with that result. Not good enough for me!  Top 3's much more to Ms. Rita's liking:))

Another Top 3 Winner! Emily Smith, National American Miss 2013, 3rd Runner Up.

Happy family!

Backstage, in her very professional suit minutes before her interview competition!

For more information re/the National American Miss Pageant (#nationalamericanmiss), please, click here: www.namiss.com

CELEBRATING my dearly departed friend, Karen Martinez's on her Birthday

Today I remember one of my dear friends, the 3rd one to lose her fight vs. #BreastCancer.  For those of us who knew her, among many things we knew Karen to be, I think we would all agree one way to describe her was a fighter.  She fought 2 things wholeheartedly:
1) breast cancer
2) to not be defined by breast cancer

Karen, however, went on to define what it is to be a TRUE Survivor.  While on earth, she fought breast cancer tirelessly on ALL fronts, w/in her and using her surroundings.
Another quality that stood out about Karen; how extraordinarily kind she was. She really had a special calming energy about her which I and I'm certain so many loved to be near. I miss being near her. Because she shared her battle, I shared with her my experience with having lost one of my dearest childhood girlfriends to breast cancer, Diedra Bradshaw Auci.  Karen and I were brought together by my loss and my need to continue to do whatever I can to find the cure for breast cancer so that others don't have to go through what Karen and I went through, her directly, myself, indirectly, both, painfully.  So Karen and I became friends as we became the 1st Pin Up Calendar girls alongside a group of extraordinary fellow Television & Radio female colleagues and we did the #STRIKEAPOSE for Breast Cancer calendar. Special thanks to Jim and Vanessa Johnston for coming up with the idea and asking me to be one of the models.  Karen and I took this experience way beyond being a "Pin Up." I was so impressed with her and so happy to have found a friend with the drive and need I have for going beyond the call of duty to continue to raise funds for breast cancer.  That's exactly what we did. Click here, please, to see more of our STRIKE A POSE adventures!http://ritaverreos.blogspot.com/search?q=strike+a+pose
Karen didn't stop there. In 2011, she came up with the idea of putting together an event, stemming from LOVE because, in my opinion, next to Faith, Love is one of the most powerful forces we have to help raise funds for breast cancer. And so, the Healing Hearts Gala was born! I was thrilled and so Honored when she asked me to form part of the Committee alongside her fellow Fox News Reporter and her best friend, fellow Panamanian, #Yami Virgen, Mike Hernandez, Chis Duel, Aymee Jeffers Locke, among others. We raised $30,000 the 1st year..YAY!!! Karen was always so kind and supportive of my career as I work hard to make my dream come true of becoming a TV Host of a network show-would LOVE to be the 1st Latina Co-Host on "The View" or "The Talk."  As such, Karen would do everything she could to help me, highlight me so she asked me to be the Emcee of the "Healing Hearts Gala."  Click here, please, for images and videos of that magical night:http://ritaverreos.blogspot.com/search?q=healing+hearts

 Along the days leading up to the event, our "Healing Hearts" Committee would come up with other ways to raise funds. #Mike Hernandez, Meteorologist for #Foxsanantionnews and Co Host of #Daytimeatnine Fox Morning show found a place called "Painting with a Twist."  We all learned how to paint-soemthing I'm TERRIBLE at, but thanks to giving it a try (hey, remember I'm a "Survivor" too (LOL) so I'll definitely try new fun things!)  Here's my 1st work of art!  My daughter who is a very gifted artist was there to give me moral support! 

Casia, my beautiful and super talented artist daughter!

I gotta concentrate, okay!!  

and the Big Unveil of my first painting-...Drum Roll or can I get a "Ta raaa!"  btw-I'm still in search of a good title for this painting, any ideas? 

My fellow "Painting with a Twist," artistes!
Sweet and beautiful amiga, Karen.  Te extrano. I love you and thank you for Blessing me with your friendship on earth and from the Heavens where I know you're resting in peace.

Emcee, "Our Community Salutes" Event

I have been so very lucky to have been approached by the Army in the past to help them and I've not stuttered ever in responding yes!  to everything they've needed from me, including jumping out of a perfectly good airplane and several other fun things: http://ritaverreos.blogspot.com/search?q=Army
It's NOTHING compared to what our soldiers do for us..and it's my very small way of saying a HUGE "THANK YOU" for their service to our nation.

It was a night of Pride, delicious food and good music! :

This time, I'm so very grateful to Lt. Col. David Grant for recommending me to Emcee the "Our Community Salutes," event. It turned out to be one of the biggest events I've ever Emceed in San Antonio...with over 1,000 attendees who filled to beyond capacity the Rosenberg Sky Room at the Incarnate Word University.

O

ur Community Salutes (OCS) is a national, non-profit organization created to recognize and honor graduating high school students (and their parents) who plan to enlist in the armed services after graduationhttp://www.ourcommunitysalutes.org  One of the students being honored was, coicidentally, the sweet daughter of a former neighbor of mine. What a wonderful surprise to see sweet Melanie Gomez there:)

The event was exquisitely organized by Dr. Cyndi Wilson Porter, /VP /Extended Academic Programs

With Dr. Cyndi Porter. An exceptional woman...LOVE her!!

and Ms. Julie H. Webber, Dir. of Marketing & Recruitment for Extended Academic Programs.  In attendance, the 3 Star LTG Ricardo Sanchez who was the Guest Speaker.

LTG & Mrs. Sanchez, LTC David Grant and his wife

among other important figures in the Armed Forces, including the current LTC David Grant who heads the San Antonio Recruiting Batallion-pictured below with his stunning & fellow Panamanian wife, Xiomara.

SA Art & Jazz Festival's 1st Queen! Once Queen, ALWAYS a Queen:)

Competing as Miss Venezuela in an International Pageant in Ecuador in 1989

 During rehearsal in Machala, Ecuardor, 1989. (#missvenezuela)

24 years later!!

With the Pinatas from the Barrio group

Some of you may know that many years ago, I was a Miss Venezuela contestant/finalist -above photo:) 
(#missvenezuela) I'm very grateful & Honored to have been recently named a different kind of Queen..the 1st Queen of the SA Summer Arts and Jazz Festival!  It's an Honor because it's the second time that I'm named Queen of a FIESTA event.  The 1st was in 2007, I was named the 1st Queen of the SA Youth's Chips and Salsa Fundraiser alongside my King, the current Mayor of San Antonio,  Julian Castro. This position has taken me back to my Miss Venezuela days where we had to make many appearances.  I'm having a wonderful time going to many Fiesta events such as the "Cavaliers Parade"

With my fellow King, the owner of the San Antonio Summer Arts & Jazz festival, the classy,  Mr. Anthony Tobias

My friend Ray's Band, Colao!

It's always wonderful to run into fellow TV Host, Shelly Miles. A few days later, they were kind to have us on her show "San Antonio Living" Click here, please to view our fun interview promoting the Festival: http://www.woai.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoId=4031974&navCatId=20501 
While at WOAI, we met the famous 90's group, Smashbox. It's such a small world that one of the members of the band told me he was friends with one of my SURVIVOR "family," Lex Vanderbherg (SURVIVOR Nicaragua & All Stars)

Here we are with Albert Flores, WOAI Meteorologist and, btw, a fantastic Video Producer/Editor. He produced one of my Bi-Lingual TV host Demo Reels..helped me land a job on the international network UTILISIMA. Please, click here to see my segments as "Beauty Tips/Fashion Expert."  http://ritaverreos.blogspot.com/search?q=utilisima

and the "Rey Feo Gala Dinner"

With District Attorney, Susan Reed

With fellow Reality Star from Operacion Voz, Erika Gonzaba

With my dear friend and the Rey Feo of this year's FIESTA,  Larry Benson

San Antonian's know how to party. Check out this view of the dance floor.  Everyone doin' the "Shuffle!"

A sweet fan of my World Car tv commercials!

Striking a pose with my beautiful friend, inside out, Margo Uriegas of the "Pinatas in the Barrio" group

We also got to meet  to meet some of the Flambeau Float participants like the super sweet Miss Cibolo-below.

 and the TV appearances keep coming, thanks to my good friends and former tv family at Kens 5, specifically, Kinya Cano-Executive Producer of the show pictured below-2nd from left: 

(#greatdaysa,#kens5) where I began my television career, thanks to the GM Bob McGann who gave me the opportunity as HEB Plus! TV Spokesperson on Great Day SA. Click here to see those funclips!:
and here's a link to our recent appearance on "Great Day SA!"http://www.kens5.com/great-day-sa/The-Sweetest-Serenade-208885231.html
 This is a wonderful event that will take place at the end of the month of May.  Last year,  I had the pleasure of being a Co-Emcee of this festival alonside the talented comedian, my friend Cleto Rodriguez.  Here were are, below,  bustin' a merengue move backstage:) (#sanantoniojazzfestival,#beautyqueen)

PLEASE, come and have yourself a wonderful time at the SA Summer Arts and Jazz festival.  Hope to see you there!  Click here for more information:  http://www.sasjazzfest.com

Reality Rally 2012 for Breast Cancer!

PLEASE, click here to donate! http://www.active.com/donate/Realitystar2013/RR2013RVerreo(I need to raise just $800.00)  100% will go to the Breast Cancer Resource Center "Michelle's Place."  (www.michellesplace.org)  They help those who can't afford the exams, treatments they so desperately need. 

Last year, I was fortunate to have gotten invited, for my 2nd time, to participate in the REALITY RALLY (www.realityrally.com) created by a fellow SURVIVOR Castaway, Mrs. Gillian Larsen (to the left & Kim Goodnough, Director of Michelle's Place, below) to help raise funds for "Michelle's Place." The 1st year I participated, I'm happy that Gillian took advantage of my Runway Modeling Expertise and so I was one of the "Experts" at one of the Rally Stops. Click here for fun images/video from the 2011 Reality Rally where, alongside 80+  fellow Reality Show participants, we helped raise $30,000. (http://ritaverreos.blogspot.com/search?q=Reality+Rally).

This past year, I got to participate as an actual "Runner" in the Rally and I'm sooo proud to say that my team and I came in 13th place out of 90 some teams!!! The Producers of this Rally aren't messin' around! They create, well, very creative! Rally stops-reminiscent of the SURVIVOR challenges! LOL It's PANDEMONIUM when we take off..cuz, well, us 'SURVIVORS' aren't messin' around either!-especially yours truly when it comes to raising awareness and money for breast cancer-a dreadful disease that has claimed the life of 3 dear friends.  Diedra Auci Bradshaw, Jenn Lyon &, in this past month, Karen Martinez-my dear friend fellow News Anchor (below). PLEASE, Click here to see why this cause is so near and dear to my heart:  I had so much fun running around the BEAUTIFUL city of Temecula, from Rally post to Rally post:  from Acting out a Shakespeare scene, to Zip-Lining to Gold Mining to  Salsa Dancing (I aced this one for my team-provin' I got the Venezuelan rhythm in me.. ja, ja, ja) to transporting a glass of water in a race...look at my face folks...I told y'all I wasn't messin' around! LOL After the seriously fun Rally was over, it was time for some socializing. We got to meet fans. Here  I am with one of my favorite fans whom I met at another Reality Charity event that I do to help raise funds for a No-Kill Animal Shelter (www.realityfestival.com) Hours before the Rally, we do a "Meet & Greet" where we get to, well, meet fans, but also catch up w/each other. Here I am showin' some love to a couple of my favorite friends, my fellow Latina and ONLY 2X Winner of SURVIVOR, la Boricua, Sandra Diaz Twine and with my fellow SURVIVOR FIJI Ravu Tribemate, AnthonyRobinson I also met participants from other Reality Shows like "Amazing Race 20" Sisters, Misa and Maiya (below) Here I am w/fellow SURIVVORS, Bob Crowley (winner Survivor Gabon), Christa Hastie Waydo (Survivor Pearl Islands) vying for the OLYMPIC TORCH!  From the looks of us,  I think we thought it was the Immunity Idol! LOL.  This is a weekend full of events! At another "Meet & Greet" I got to meet a special Animal Friend, the "Harley" doggie. I LOVE dogs, can you tell?   The last night, the Red Carpet was rolled out. Here I am sharing a moment with my friend, THE Original one and only 1st WINNER of SURVIVOR and also a participant of THE APPRENTICE, Richard Hatch:  and the charismatic and very fashionable Lawon Exum of Big Brother 13