Miss Universe 2002, Gantikan Oxana

Gadis cantik alamiah asal Panama, Justine Pasek (23), dapat durian jatuh. Ia dinobatkan sebagai Miss Universe 2002 yang baru, menggantikan Oxana Federova, asal Rusia, yang dinilai gagal menjalankan tugas sebagai Miss Universe 2002. Dalam kontes Miss Universe, Ratu Sejagad, yang diselenggarakan Rabu (29/5/02) malam, di San Juan, Puerto Riko, Justine Pasek yang menjadi runner-up, di bawah Miss Rusia Oxana Fedorova (24). Mereka menyisihkan 73 calon lain dalam kontes itu.

Gelar Miss Universe itu dicabut dari Oxana Federova empat bulan berikutnya, tepatnya 23 September 2002). Kemudian dialihkan kepada puteri Panama Justine Pasek. Sebelum dianugerahi gelar Ratu Sejagat, Pasek dikenal sebagai Miss Panama. Sebagai duta Panama ia banyak terlibat di organisasi Casa Esperanza, yang membantu anak-anak jalanan kembali sekolah. Ia dikenal pula sebagai asisten produksi pada sebuah stasiun televisi.

Pasek, supermodel, setelah menerima mahkota dalam sebuah perayaan di Trump Tower, New York (AS), Selasa 24/9/02 merasa yakin sembilan bulan ke depan akan menjadi kehidupan yang sangat penting baginya.

Si sulung, satu-satunya putri, dari tiga bersaudara ini merasa benar-benar bangga bisa membawa penghargaan ini ke Panama. �Saya hanya berharap, semampu mungkin bisa membuat negara saya bangga," katanya. Sejumlah harapan dan pujian pun tertuju kepada Pasek. Tak kurang dari Presiden Panama, Mireya Moscoso, memberikan pujian dan harapan atas penobatan Pasek.

Pasek berayahkan seorang insiyur perangkat lunak untuk lembaga bernama Panama Canal Authority. Sementara itu, sang kakek adalah mantan marinir yang pernah terjun ke kancah Perang Dunia II. Sebagai Ratu Sejagat yang baru, Pasek, yang bercita-cita menjadi insiyur lingkungan, akan disibukkan dengan tugasnya mengkampanyekan program pengumpulan dana bagi penanganan AIDS/HIV.

Press Release Miss Universe

Justine Pasek Miss Universe� 2002

Justine Pasek, a crowd favorite during the 2002 Miss Universe competition, is a 22-year-old native of Panama City, Panama. She has been recognized all over the world for her supermodel looks and humble personality. Her natural beauty is indicative of the beauty in the new millennium. As Justine moves to New York City to take on the title of Miss Universe, she is ready to work hard as an ambassador for women around the world by representing the Miss Universe Organization.

Before putting on the crown, Justine worked in production for television specials, charity events, theater musicals and fashion shows. She plans to someday complete a degree in Environmental Engineering, and then work for the Smithsonian Research Center, educating the public about environmental conservation. During her reign as Miss Panama, she has worked with Casa Esperanza, which is an organization that helps street kids get off the street and into schools. She has also set up fashion shows for charitable organizations such as the Red Cross, FANLIC (Fundsacion Amigos Ninos Con Leucemia Y Cancer), Fundacion Son Felipe, among others.

Justine is the daughter of a software engineer for the Panama Canal Authority and a homemaker. She is the oldest of three; her two brothers are 12 and 14. Her Grandfather was a marine in World War II and a pilot for the Panama Canal Commission. She has a very close relationship with her parents and has been a mentor to her younger siblings. She has had her family�s support as a competitor in swimming, basketball and volleyball and has enjoyed drawing, ballet, tap, salsa and gourmet cooking lessons throughout her childhood.

As Miss Universe 2002, Pasek will travel extensively working with internationally recognized AIDS/HIV organizations, including the Global Health Council, the Harvard AIDS Institute, AmFAR, and the Center for Disease Control�s �Act Now� campaign. As a �celebrity� spokesperson, she will be responsible for working with the media globally to generate a better understanding and acceptance of AIDS and HIV and its prevention; while helping increase awareness, funding and resources for these key organizations.

Interview

Who are your heroes? Why?
My heroes and heroines are the everyday people who struggle in life to overcome adverse situations and still have a positive attitude.

Are you currently a student?
No.

Are you currently employed?
Yes. I am a production assistant for TV

Please list educational/technical/professional schools you have attended and the type of certificate or degree awarded:
Instituto Pedagogico de Panama
High School diploma

What do you hope to be doing in 10 years?
I hope to be a successful, fulfilled person with the things that I will have accomplished and will be prepared to start planning a family.

PRESS CONTACTS:
Mary Hilliard McMillan/Esther Swan
The Miss Universe Organization
(212) 373-4982/(212) 373-4870

Dara Arbeiter/Brad Zeifman
Rubenstein Public Relations
(212) 843-8079/(212) 843-9285

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