Meet the International Festival princesses: Cierra Rivas, German princess

Cierra Rivas, 18, German princess (Photo by Tom Mahl, The Chronicle-Telegram)

Name: Cierra Christine Rivas

Nationality: German

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

Age: 18

Sponsor: Lorain Southview High School Army JROTC

Parents: Vicki and Hector Rivas

High school: Graduate of Lorain Southview High School

Future plans: “Attend Kent State University, major in pre-med and continue with Army ROTC.”

Costume: “In the past, dirndls have served to identify a girl’s marital status, origin or trade. For example, the knot of my apron is on the left side, which means that I am single. Currently, however, the wearing of a dirndl is a sign of national pride. Today the dirndl is worn mostly in Bavaria and Austria at weddings and festivals. The apron was meant to be practical and suitable for everyday life. My dirndl is embroidered with the edelweiss, a mountain flower. Its white color is considered a symbol of purity.”

Roots: “My father’s side is Mexican and Puerto Rican, and my mother’s side is German.”

Favorite ethnic food: my Ota’s sausage

Favorite musician: Bon Jovi

Favortie book: “Down Grove” by Richard Allen Kulics

Favortie movie: “Ever After”

A message from Cierra: “My great-grandparents and my grandmother immigrated to America from Bavaria in 1955, and I have never really learned anything about my German heritage. Being an International princess gives me the perfect chance to learn everything possible and to become a proud, knowledgeable member of the German community.”