Iris Salguero is Miss Universe Belize 2020-2021

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Iris Salguero; Ernie Alpuche Photography

A new Miss Universe Belize has been crowned and the 2020-2021 representative hails from San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. 24-year-old Iris Salguero has succeeded Destinee Arnold, who reigned from 2019-2020. The announcement of the new Miss Universe Belize was made in a small and short virtual ceremony from the Biltmore Plaza on Saturday, January 9, 2021. During that presentation, the pageant’s national director, Romeo Escobar highlighted the impacts made by COVID-19 as the adjustments they have had to make. They have had to choose and announce a new Queen through unusual means but Escobar says that it is a tradition, which needs to be held up nonetheless.
The selection for a 2020-2021 Miss Universe Belize all started with a virtual casting call which took place in November 2020. This group of young ladies were then screened by the Miss Belize committee as well as the outgoing Queen Destinee Arnold. They also met with a number of persons on the international pageant scene to assist them in their presentation and delivery. At the end of this period, the Committee was ready to announce its winner and the person who will be responsible to represent Belize to the best of her ability, Iris Salguero.
Salguero was born and raised on the island of San Pedro and raised with 11 siblings. Being one of 12 children, Salguero learned a great many attributes such as patience and collaboration. She graduated as salutatorian of her high school class and plans to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in digital marketing with the goal of eventually opening a trade school. As a survivor of an abusive relationship, Salguero is very vocal in representing those who are quiet about their suffering and works hard in bringing an end to violence against women. Lastly, she is passionate about the environment and the sustainable use of its resources. Salguero says that coming from humble beginnings, it is her hope to not only represent herself but her country to the best of her ability on the international stage. She plans to use the platform to make a difference on a national level and to inspire others like her. Specifically, Salguero says that she wants “to encourage women to take up space” in male dominated fields and not to diminish themselves for the opposite sex.