2024 Mr. and Miss Hispanic/Latinx OSU crowned

Friday, April 5, 2024

Media Contact: Jordan Bishop | Editor, Department of Brand Management | 405-744-7193 | jordan.bishop@okstate.edu

The Mr. and Miss Hispanic/Latinx Oklahoma State University Scholarship Pageant crowned two winners on Saturday evening. 

Miss Hispanic/Latinx OSU is Helen Zaghloul, a microbiology junior from Katy, Texas. She was inspired to run for the pageant to represent the Hispanic community and destigmatize some of its issues. 

“My platform is about food insecurity,” Zaghloul said. “I wanted to link it not only to the Hispanic community but also to the Stillwater community. As a freshman, I learned a lot about Pete’s Pantry and OSU Basic Needs, which inspired me. I connected it with my story about growing up in Venezuela.”

Zaghloul faced food insecurity growing up and now aims to use her platform to ensure others don’t face the same crisis. She plans on hosting food drives and raising money to support her cause. She also wants to participate in workshops and presentations to educate people on how to get help and provide resources. 

“I didn’t think I would ever run for anything as a little kid,” Zaghloul said. “This experience has opened my eyes to all the experiences out there if you just open yourself up to people.”

Mr. Hispanic/Latinx OSU is Isaiah Flores, a pre-nursing freshman from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. 

Flores’ inspiration to run came from being introverted during high school. He decided to open himself up to a new opportunity to build up himself and his community. 

“In my year as royalty, I want to advocate for the youth because I believe they are the future,” Flores said. “I want to make sure they have a strong start during college.” 

Flores has seen students be thrust into a world they haven’t been taught to live in, so he wants to provide students with the resources to learn how to be adults in a college setting. This includes workshops to help inform and socialize these students in need. 

“It’s going to be open for all first-generation students,” Flores said. “Even though I’m primarily targeting the Hispanic community, I want to make sure everyone feels unified.”

Both new royals wanted to tell people to branch out and try new things, as they hadn’t considered doing something like this before. Now, with new friends and a scholarship, the two are looking forward to a year of making a positive impact. 

“I want to encourage everyone who wants to run,” Zaghloul said. “It’s a wonderful experience for everyone involved, even if you don’t win. The friendships I have made here are forever, and I love everybody involved. I encourage people to open their minds and get outside the box.”

Story By: Mak Vandruff | makenzie.vandruff@okstate.edu