2021’s most interesting | “It’s incredible ... to represent the melting pot that is our state.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: The 21st year of the millennium was expected to be a time of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of normal, 2021 gave us more of the same as 2020 with vaccinations, face mask requirements and more COVID-19 deaths. There were people who stood out during the year because of their work, accomplishments or their impact. Vida en el Valle selected the 10 most interesting people of 2021. Here is No. 8:
Read more at: https://www.fresnobee.com/vida-en-el-valle/noticias/article256897747.html#storylink=cpyJazmín Ávalos doesn’t live in the San Joaquín Valley, but five trips to Fresno in the heat of July certainly makes the Cal State Fullerton graduate at least an honorary resident.
That’s because the 24-year-old Ávalos has participated in four Miss California and two Miss Outstanding Teen pageants. Next July, she is scheduled to visit again as the reigning Miss California to hand the crown over to her successor.
She is more than a tiny figure with a soaring voice, and more than just an answer to a trivia question (Who was the last Miss California contestant to win the swimsuit title? Answer: Ávalos in 2018).
Ávalos is the third Latina to win the state crown, following in the footsteps of Marina Inserra (2014) and Marlise Richards (1988).
After winning the crown in the pandemic-delayed pageant in July, Ávalos acknowledged her Latino roots.
“I think it’s incredible,” said the 24-year-old Ávalos about being one of three Latinas who reached the Miss California semifinals. A Latina won the Miss Teen pageant.
“Living in California and to represent Los Ángeles County, one of the most diverse cities in the state, is incredible,” said Ávalos. “It’s incredible that we have the opportunity to represent the melting pot that is our state.”
She began competition in the Miss California Organization as a 14-year-old teen pageant contestant.
Her social media initiative was ‘Ending Substance Abuse,’ an issue that hits home for her.
“My father was affected by alcoholism and left our family due to that, so I really do believe that is is a disease,” said Ávalos, an only child raised by her mother, Lupe Campos, a native of Zamora, Michoacán, México.
Ávalos praises the Miss California Organization for helping her grow.
“I always have felt that this organization has given me a platform to speak on things that are important to me, such as my social impact initiative of ending substance abuse.”
