Meet the International Festival Princesses: Ciara Gómez, 17, Puerto Rican princess

Ciara Gómez, 17, Puerto Rican princess (Photo by Tom Mahl, The Chronicle-Telegram)

Name: Ciara Gómez

Nationality: Puerto Rican

Listen to Ciara introduce herself. (Audio courtesy of WEOL.)

Age: 17

Sponsor: Sacred Heart Chapel

Parents: Melissa and Dax McCall of Lorain and Brian Gómez of Tampa, Florida

High school: “I currently attend Early College High School, but my home school is Admiral King High School, class of 2010.”

Future Plans: “When I graduate high school, I will also be graduating from Lorain County Community College and receiving an associate degree. I plan to attend Wright State University in Dayton to earn my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physical therapy. Upon graduation, I hope to move to Miami and open my own practice.”

Costume: “My dress is a Jíbaro (peasant farmer) dress. It has a low-neck green peasant blouse and a long, full, green cotton skirt. This outfit is worn to dance to Jíbaro music, which is sung and played at weddings and other communal gatherings. The term ‘Jíbaro’ is used to signify a resident of the countryside or mountain area, from which my family comes. It symbolizes hard-working, independent and wise.”

Roots: “From my father’s side of the family, my grandmother, Ernestine Ortiz, was born and raised in Río Piedras and moved to Glassboro, New Jersey, in 1964 when she was 17 years old. My grandfather, Julio Gómez, was born and raised in Cayey and moved to Homestead, Florida, 1960 when he was 18. My father, along with his sister and brother, were the first generation to be born in the United States. From my mother’s side of the family, my grandmother, Luci Ramos, was born in Santurce and moved to Lorain in 1952 when she was 2 years old. My grandfather, José Martínez, was born in San Lorenzo and moved to Lorain in 1956 when he was 8 years old. My mother was the first generation to be born in the United States.”

Favorite ethnic food: arroz blanco (white rice) y bistec (steak) with tostones (fried green bananas) and pernil (roast pork)

Favorite musician: Drake and J. Holiday.

Favorite book: “Twilight” series and “A Child Called It”

Favorite movies: “Love and Basketball” and “ATL”

A message from Ciara: “Being able to represent my Puerto Rican heritage is a huge honor. Since I was a young girl, I have always looked up to all the princesses, especially those representing Puerto Rico. They were incredible role models for me. Every year during the International parade, I would always tell my mom I couldn’t wait until I was able to be an International princess and hopefully win the title as queen.”