Meet the lorain international festival puerto rican princess

 Name: Terra Marie Soto

Age: 16

Nationality: Puerto Rican

Sponsor: Sacred Heart Chapel

Parents: Ricardo and Terri Soto

High School: Lake Ridge Academy,  class of 2011

Costume: “My costume is a customary Puerto Rican party dress used for special occasions. It’s a classic all white gown with three tiers of fabric. To emphasize the a-line shape of the dress is a red satin bow around the waist and red satin trim around the shoulder. To accent my dress is a flor de maga in my hair, which is the national flower of Puerto Rico.”

Ethnic roots: Puerto Rico and Mexico

Favorite native dish: “Pastellios with tostones and white rice.”

Favorite musical group: Dave Matthews Band or Taylor Swift

Favorite book: “Eldest”

Favorite movie: “Superman Returns”

Future plans: “After I graduate high school, I plan on attending college to become a pharmacist. I would also like to travel around the world, specifically to most countries in Europe and around the Caribbean.”

Princess comments: “It is an honor to be involved in the Lorain International Princess Pageant representing my Puerto Rican ethnicity. What is most rewarding about representing Puerto Rico is the sense of pride that I have grown to have. Not only am I proud of my culture but the people within my family and community who have instilled in me the ways of my heritage. I am able to apply the traditions of my heritage to my life and to the pageant. I am who I am today because I grew up with a strong Hispanic influence in my life. I couldn’t be more excited to be involved in this year’s festivities.”