Meet the International Festival princesses: Carmen Molina, Puerto Rican princess

Carmen Molina, 17, Puerto Rican princess (Photo by Tom Mahl, The Chronicle-Telegram)

Name: Carmen Elizabeth Molina

Nationality: Puerto Rican

Age: 17

Sponsor: Christian Kingdom International Church

Parent: Cynthia Louise Overton

High school: Lorain Admiral King High School

Future plans: “After high school I plan to attend Kent State University and major in dental hygiene.”

Costume: “The white trim on my red dress stands for the purity of the Puerto Rican ladies, and the red stands for passion or love. The white flower in my hair represents the flowers of our island.”

Roots: “My grandma came from Areciba, and my grandfather came from Utuado. My dad was raised in Utuado until his family moved to the United States in 1970.”

Favorite ethnic food: yellow rice with mashed potatoes and penil

Favorite musician: Beyonce

Favorite book: “A Child Called It”

Favorite movie: “Finding Nemo”

A message from Carmen: “My nationality makes me who I am. When I was a little girl I always dreamt of being a Puerto Rican International princess. I am representing my heritage and my father, who would be so proud of me.”