Miss Nicaragua Beauty Pageant

With both critics and supporters, beauty pageants are held all around the world with young women competing on local and national levels, often with the hope of competing in international competitions such as Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss International. The Miss Nicaragua beauty pageant was first held in 1955 with Rosa Argentina Lacayo being the first Nicaraguan beauty to receive the coveted crown and sash. Since then the competition has taken place almost on an annual basis, with each of Nicaragua’s departments having the opportunity to send a representative to the national competition, traditionally held at the Rubén Darío National Theater in Managua. The winner of the Miss Nicaragua title has the honor of representing her country at the Miss Universe and/or Miss International contest.

Participants in the Miss Nicaragua pageant must be unmarried, between the ages of 18 and 25 years, and have no children. As is the case with beauty pageants around the world, in addition to being well-groomed and attractive, participants are expected to answer a range of questions regarding their interests and what they would hope to achieve during their year as Miss Nicaragua if they win the title.

Winners of Miss Nicaragua pageants over the past decade were: Ligia Cristina Arguello Roa (2001); Marianela Lacayo Mendoza (2002); Claudia Salmerón Aviles (2003); Marifely Argüello César (2004); Daniela Clerk Castillo (2005); Cristiana Frixione (2006); Xiomara Blandino (2007); Thelma Rodríguez (2008); Indiana Sánchez (2009); and Scharllette Allen (2010).

In keeping with advancing technology, fans from around the world were given the opportunity of voting for their favorite 2011 Miss Nicaragua pageant contestant via the organizer’s website. The final event was held in February, and the winner was Adriana de Lourdes Dorn Rodríguez. Adriana was born in Managua on December 30, 1986. Her educational qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in public relations, with credits for business management, family studies and human development from the Penn State University, and she is currently completing her postgraduate marketing management studies. Adriana will represent Nicaragua at the Miss Universe in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and at the Miss International pageant in Chengdu, China.