by: Kate Sanchez
Annali Flores, 18, of Portales will be competing for the title of Teen Universe New Mexico. Although a date for the event is still undecided due to Covid-19, Flores will travel to Albuquerque to vie for the title that so many young ladies wish to hold. The categories included in the pageant are interview, evening gown, swimwear, and heritage dress.
Competing in pageants is a passion for the Portales-born and raised teen, but not something that’s new to her. In fact, Flores held the 2018 Teen NM Latina title where she travelled to nationals in Kansas City and earned a Top 3 finish. According to Flores’ mom, Noemi Flores, it’s a large part of the teen’s life and has been for quite some time. “She really enjoys it,” she shares, “She started dancing at age two and then moved to pageants later on…” Noemi adds that it was because of a friend who participated in the competitions that her daughter became involved. “One (pageant) came to Portales and she won a few awards… and she’s been involved ever since,” she says.
Annali’s pageant platform focuses on breast cancer awareness as she promotes and supports the Yolanda Acosta Foundation. According to the New Mexico Cancer Center’s website, the foundation, “…works with the New Mexico Cancer Center Foundation to lessen the financial burden of individuals who are battling breast cancer, while memorializing Yolanda Acosta’s life, the values she lived by, and the courage with which she faced her bout of breast cancer.” Acosta lost her battle with breast cancer in 2014 but it hasn’t stopped people like Annali from working hard to support the cause. According to Noemi, her daughter has participated in fundraisers for the foundation and has been of assistance to several throughout Curry and Roosevelt counties.
The Yolanda Acosta Foundation benefits women and their families that are fighting breast cancer. For more information about this foundation CLICK HERE
In addition to her support in the fight for breast cancer awareness, the well-rounded young lady enjoys helping younger girls with their pageant ventures as well.
We’d like to wish Annali the very best of luck in competing for Teen Universe New Mexico. We know you will represent our community well!
