Glendora Resident Vies For Miss Latina USA Crown

Glendora resident Crystal Munoz, 23, is a law school student and the reigning Miss California Latina, about to head to Cancun, Mexico to compete in the Miss Latina USA pageant Aug. 18. It’s a far cry from the insecure preteen who battled childhood obesity, weighing nearly 200 pounds.

Munoz, an Azusa Pacific University graduate and current student at Glendale University College of Law, will be competing against contestants of Latino background from across the United States. The Mexican-American who was born and raised in Glendora said she began entering pageants to help boost her confidence after struggling with obesity throughout her childhood.

“It was really hard being 12 and 13 years old, being overweight and not having any boys being interested in you,” said Munoz, who said she endured years of bullying from her classmates. Watching her mother struggle with diabetes inspired her to make more healthy decisions and lose the weight. That conscious decision and commitment led her to lose as much as 80 pounds.

With the weight gone, Munoz said she began entering beauty pageants and competed in Miss America pageants at 16. She won her first title, Miss Azusa, in 2009.

Now, Munoz is going through a hectic schedule of balancing preparations for Miss Latina USA and law school. She is also trying to make time to give back to the community through her nonprofit Crystal’s Kids Foundation, which offers resources and activities for children in the San Gabriel Valley to learn to make more healthy choices and lead active lifestyles.

The group meets at Pure Living in Glendora, with the next session Nov. 2.

“Through my weight loss I was inspiring other people in the community,” said Munoz. “Why not give back to the community through my own experiences with childhood obesity and help a child who may be going through similar experiences?”

Munoz said she hopes to expand her foundation outside of the San Gabriel Valley and partner with other groups and organizations. Even while running her foundation, she said she still keeps focused on her other goals, including becoming a prosecutor once she graduates from law school.

And, of course, there is the Miss Latina USA pageant.

“It has been a long time since someone from California has won the crown,” said Munoz. “Hopefully, I can bring the title back to California.”