Puerto Rican beauty queen Valerie Hernandez is crowned Miss International 2014 - and claims her win is 'a hard responsibility'
Valerie Hernandez of Puerto Rico has been crowned Miss International 2014.
The 21-year-old student and model from Carolina, Puerto Rico, won her title at last night's finals, the beauty pageant's 54th annual event, held at the Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa in Tokyo, Japan.
Dressed in a gold-embellished white gown, Ms Hernandez sobbed with joy as she was officially crowned by Miss International 2013 winner Bea Santiago of the Philippines.
Winner: Valerie Hernandez (pictured), a 21-year-old student and model from Carolina, Puerto Rico, won Miss International 2014 at Tuesday's finals, the beauty pageant's 54th event, held in Tokyo, Japan
Top five: Ms Hernandez (center) poses with first runner-up, Colombia's Zuleika Suárez (far left), second runner-up, Thailand's Punika Kulsoontornrut (far right), third runner-up, United Kingdom's Victoria Tooby (second from left) and fourth runner-up, Finland's Milla Romppanen (second from right)
During the question-and-answer rounds in the lead-up to the finals, Ms Hernandez stated, according to the Philippine Star: 'Thinking about [the] Miss International title, I think it's not just crown, it's not just the title, it's one of the hardest responsibilities.
'As Miss International, I want to send a message of love, peace, and unity.'
Ms Hernadez celebrated her win flanked by the rest of the top five; first-runner up Zuleika Suarez of Colombia, second runner-up Punika Kulsoontornrut of Thailand, third runner-up Victoria Tooby of the United Kingdom and fourth runner-up Milla Romppanen of Finland.
On her official Facebook page, Ms Hernandez claims she was trained in classical ballet at the Escuela de Bellas Artes de Carolina.
She lists Pizza Hut and Professional Gym as previous employers.
Dream come true: Dressed in a gold-embellished white gown, Ms Hernandez sobbed with joy as she was crowned by Miss International 2013 winner Bea Santiago of the Philippines (right)
Regal: During the question-and-answer rounds in the lead-up to the finals, Ms Hernandez reportedly stated: 'I think it's not just crown, it's not just the title, it's one of the hardest responsibilities'
Giddy: She added, 'as Miss International, I want to send a message of love, peace, and unity'
Grin and bear it: Miss Thailand (right) wipes a tear from the face of winner Miss Puerto Rico, as Miss Colombia (left) exercises her best gracious-loser smile
In all her glory: Ms Hernandez wore a floor-length white gown embellished with gold sequins
Representing: Ms Hernandez, pictured in the costume section of the finals, lists Pizza Hut and Professional Gym as previous employers
Bikini babe: The model throws shapes in the swimsuit section of the contest
Sassy: Ms Hernandez seen posing suggestively in a snap she uploaded to her Facebook account
Multi-talented: The winner claims she was trained in classical ballet at the Escuela de Bellas Artes de Carolina
Along with its rivals - Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss Supranational contests - Miss International is one of the four largest beauty pageants in the world.
It was launched in Long Beach, California in 1960, but moved to Japan in 1968, where it is has been held almost every year since.
Miss International 2014 had 73 entrants from all over the world, ranging in age between 19 and 26.
The USA was represented by 23-year-old Samantha Brooks, from Los Angeles, who failed to reach the top ten at this year's contest.
First runner-up: Ms Suárez, a 20-year-old from Colombia, dazzles in a gold gown
Second runner-up: Ms Kulsoontornrut, a 22-year-old model and student from Thailand opts for a daring neckline
Third runner-up: Victoria Tooby, a 20-year-old accountant from Wales, U.K., takes to the runway
Fourth Runner-up: Milla Romppanen, a 21-year-old hair stylist from Finland was a white delight
Patriotic: Miss USA was represented by 23-year-old Samantha Brooks, from Los Angeles, (pictured) who failed to reach the top ten at this year's contest
Special award: Elfin Pertiwi Rappa (pictured) from Indonesia won Best National Costume
Walking proud: France's Aurianne Sinacola (pictured) was awarded Miss Perfect Body
Those that did make the top ten, but not the top five, are as follows: Argentina's Josefina José Herrero, Brazil's Deise Benício, Indonesia's Elfin Pertiwi Rappa, Mexico's Vianey Vázquez and Panama's Aileen Bernal.
First runner-up Ms Suárez, from Colombia, won both the Miss Friendship and the Miss Best Dresser special awards; and Ms Rappa from Indonesia won Best National Costume. France's Aurianne Sinacola was awarded Miss Perfect Body.
According to Miss International, the pageant is aimed at promoting 'Love peace and excitement to the world'.
The contestants are expected to serve as 'ambassadors of peace and beauty', serving 'tenderness, generosity, friendship, beauty, intelligence and a great international sensibility.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2830289/Puerto-Rican-beauty-queen-Valerie-Hernandez-crowned-Miss-International-2014-claims-win-hard-responsibility.html#ixzz3InB70PLg
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