August 27, 2007
Wrap Up
Richard and Virginia Cruz sat frozen Friday night in the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, blending into a mass of spectators who anxiously awaited the crowning of this year's Miss Teen USA. But the Louisville couple was about to become the audience VIPs: Their 18-year-old daughter, Hilary Cruz, was about to don the coveted tiara. "I don't think any parent is confident the whole time," Virginia Cruz said Saturday night, moments after she and her husband stepped into their Louisville home following a whirlwind trip to California, capped with their daughter's somewhat-surprise victory. "It was only her second pageant, so we are new to it," she said. "We felt she would do well and make it close to the end. You always hope your child is the last one standing, but you never think your kid has it nailed."
Virginia Cruz said she thinks the interview portion of the competition won it for her girl. "She gave a really outstanding answer, and I think that sealed the deal," she said. One of the interview questions asked was, "What famous quotation do you live by?" Hilary's answer: "A famous quotation of my mother, which is, ‘A good day starts inside of you.'" The teen has a packed schedule for the next few weeks, her mother said. Hilary couldn't be reached for comment Saturday because she's already en route to speaking engagements and TV appearances. "She is landing in New York City as we speak," Virginia Cruz said. "It was good-bye this morning while she does some things."
But Virginia Cruz said they're confident their daughter is in "good hands. The Miss Universe people we met were the type of people you want for your 18-year-old daughter in New York," she said. It was nearly a year ago that Hilary was topped with her first-ever pageant crown as Miss Teen Colorado in Loveland. She was a senior at Centaurus High School at the time, and she got into pageants for the same reasons many teenagers do, her mother said. "She thought it would be fun," Virginia Cruz said. "She always liked dress up and pretty clothes and make-up." But "fun" only begins to describe the experiences her daughter has had since entering — and winning — the competitions, Virginia Cruz said. "It was fun. It was a little nerve-racking. And then it was unbelievable," she said.
Hilary is the only Colorado representative to have won the teen competition since it began in 1983. Although the outgoing Miss Teen USA had a somewhat rocky reign — Katie Blair was scrutinized following reports she partied in New York City nightclubs — Virginia Cruz said Louisville could be proud to claim Hilary as their representative. "Teenagers need all kinds of role models," her mother said. "And at this point in Hilary's life, she is honestly a great role model for other girls." Barry Barrows, an English teacher at Centaurus High School, said he has high expectations for the recent graduate. "I know her to be poised and smart, and she deserves it," he said. "I'm proud that she was involved with Centaurus."
Next up for Hilary: She told a reporter following Friday's pageant that she plans to attend the University of Northern Colorado to study journalism. During her tenure as Miss Teen USA, she also will work with the Emergency Family Assistance Association and speak to students and scout troops about making smart decisions and achieving goals, according to post-pageant reports and interviews. As for Hilary's Miss Teen USA blog, only one entry has been posted so far: Friday, after the crowning, she wrote, "Give me a few days to catch my breath. I'll be writing shortly."
The Day After Pictures:
Riyo Mori, Miss Universe 2007; Hilary Cruz, Miss Teen USA 2007, and Rachel Smith, Miss USA 2007, pose together at the Pasadena Hilton in Pasadena, California on August 25th, 2007, the morning after Cruz's crowning. 18-year-old Cruz will spend her yearlong reign making special appearances on behalf of the Miss Universe Organization, its sponsors and affiliated charities.
Hilary Cruz, Miss Teen USA 2007, poses in the Mikimoto crown
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