Cicero names Natalie Baeza as the Pageant Queen for Mexican Independence 2022-23

On Thursday, September 8, under an atmosphere of celebration and joy at the Cicero Community Center, the Cicero Mexican Cultural Committee held its annual election for the Queen of Cicero.

Indiana University student Natalie Baeza, 22, was crowned the Queen of Cicero 2022-23 on Thursday night. An outstanding student in the Health Administration Career, during her reign, Natalie Baeza will represent the Mexican community in the numerous events that take place in this city throughout the year.

“I am very excited for this recognition. My experience during this contest taught me a lot about myself: to have confidence, motivation and determination,” Natalie Baeza said.

“I developed a discipline that helped me achieve my goals; I learned positive attitudes and enjoyed the time I spend with my colleagues. There have been many emotions in a short time but they are memories that we create together.”

Indiana University student Natalie Baeza, 22, was crowned the Queen of Cicero 2022-23 on Thursday night. Brenda Nava was elected as the First Pageant Princess and Fernanda Barrios as the Second Pageant Princess.

Finally, Cicero’s new Pageant Queen added, “A phrase that helped me throughout this process was ‘Competition is the vehicle with which internal and external character is honored, polished and sharpened, success is achieved by young women, that they become the best people they can be’.”

For her part, Maru Ayala, President of the Cicero Mexican Culture Committee, expressed her gratitude to Cicero Town President Larry Dominick as well as to the city’s Board of Trustees and also to the Cicero Office of Special Events.

“On behalf of the Committee I appreciate the support that the President of the City gives us in order to carry out these celebrations that are so important for our Latino community, especially the Mexican that resides in Cicero,” Ayala said.

“After two years of absence, it is a joy to be here again, celebrating with all of you and continuing the tradition that began more than a decade ago in this great city. We are proud to transmit the Mexican culture to the new generations”.

Brenda Nava was elected as the First Pageant Princess and Fernanda Barrios as the Second Pageant Princess.

The three candidates will be present during the week of the Mexican National Holidays in Cicero that will take place from Sept. 15 through Sept. 18, including at the Festival Fairgrounds at 34 Street and Laramie Ave., and leading the parade on beginning at 12 noon on Sunday Sept. 18 along Cermak Road. They will also represent the community at the annual El Grito ceremony to be held Sunday night at the festival fairgrounds at 34th and Laramie.

Enjoy Mexican Independence this weekend in Cicero brought to you by Town President Larry Dominick and the Town of Cicero Board of Trustees and the Cicero Mexican Cultural Committee founded by Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar and headed by President Maru Ayala.

“We are so proud of how the Community turns out to celebrate this important event in Mexican history and we are proud to be co-sponsors of this event with the Cicero Mexican Cultural Committee,” said President Larry Dominick.

“This event is for families and children and we want them to have a safe and enjoyable weekend.”

Cook County Commissioner and Former Cicero Cultural Committee Director Frank J. Aguilar. said, “When I started the Cicero Mexican Independence Festival and Parade 16 years ago I could only hope it would reach its current heights. Cicero embodies the Chicano spirit in everything they do. Their pride in their culture mixed with their hard work and dedication to Cicero is incredible, and contributes mightily to the strength and diversity of our 16th District. This parade is for all people – to celebrate with their family, friends and the community. I’d like to thank President Larry Dominick and the Cicero Board of Trustees for their continued support, and am so thrilled to be able to march once again in this wonderful event.”

Festivities will be held at Cicero Community Park from Thursday Sept. 15 through Sunday Sept. 18 ending with El Grito.

The Mexican Independence Day Parade will begin on Sunday Sept. 18 at 12 noon on Cermak Road (22nd Street) beginning at 59th Avenue heading East towards 50th Avenue in front of Cicero Town Hall.

Info on the pageant Queen and her court:

On Thursday, September 8, under an atmosphere of celebration and joy at the Cicero Community Center, the Cicero Mexican Cultural Committee held its annual election for the Queen of Cicero.

Indiana University student Natalie Baeza, 22, was crowned the Queen of Cicero 2022-23 on Thursday night.

An outstanding student in the Health Administration Career, during her reign, Natalie Baeza will represent the Mexican community in the numerous events that take place in this city throughout the year.

Brenda Nava was elected as the First Pageant Princess and Fernanda Barrios as the Second Pageant Princess.

Click here to subscribe FREE to Ray Hanania's Columns

Author
Recent Posts

Ray Hanania

Ray Hanania is an award-winning opinion columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.

His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today

Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.

Email Ray Hanania at [email protected].

Follow RayHanania at Twitter