NEW YORK, Oct. 6, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Siempre Mujer, the largest Spanish-language lifestyle magazine for Latinas in the U.S., today announced the winner and finalists of its second-annual “La Musa de Siempre Mujer” cover contest. Presented by AIR OPTIX® COLORS contact lenses, the program gives the magazine’s readers an opportunity to shine in the October/November 2015 issue, and highlights four fresh faces representing the beauty, talent and strength of Latinas.
The winner of the 2015 Cover Contest is Shakira Bonilla, an 18-year-old mother from Puerto Rico. Despite the challenges of raising a child at a young age, Bonilla works part-time and is pursuing a college degree in business administration.
“I want to be a role model for other teenage mothers so that they can also find opportunities and follow their dreams,” says Bonilla.
Bonilla is featured on the October/November issue’s special double-cover high-impact unit, created in collaboration with AIR OPTIX® COLORS. She wears AIR OPTIX® COLORS contact lenses in both covers: a pair in Gemstone Green to enhance her natural eye color for the main cover, and a vibrant pair in Brilliant Blue for the second cover.
“AIR OPTIX® COLORS is thrilled to team up with Siempre Mujer on its Cover Contest recognizing inspirational Latinas across the country,” says Shantel Canty, Director of Marketing for AIR OPTIX® COLORS. “The covers capture the versatility and impact of our contact lenses, and we’re excited to reach the magazine’s audience of fashion-forward and beauty-savvy consumers through this program.”
Bonilla made her national television debut on Sept. 29, when she joined Siempre Mujer Editor-in-Chief Maria Cristina Marrero to reveal the Cover Contest winner and unveil the final covers on Despierta America, Univision’s popular morning show. Click here to watch the clip.
The three Cover Contest finalists featured alongside Bonilla in the issue are Greta Urra, an eco-conscious, vegan Argentinian who lives in Miami; Sabrina Calvo, a Venezuelan who loves to explore the world outside of her Florida home and dreams of hosting her own travel show; and Edith Bracho-Sanchez, a driven and compassionate Venezuelan completing her residency in pediatrics in Philadelphia.
In addition to entering the contest, readers also voted for their own musa. This year’s People’s Choice winner is Vanessa Herrera, a Colombian native from Miami who won with 12,202 votes. Herrera is also featured inside the issue and on SiempreMujer.com.
“My dream has always been to give our readers the opportunity to appear on the cover,” says Marrero. “They’re more important than any celebrity because without them, our magazine doesn’t exist. Finding the ‘Musa de Siempre Mujer‘ each October, watching the girls’ faces when they arrive in New York—many for the very first time—and seeing the sparkle in their eyes when the cameras turn on is priceless.”
The grand-prize winner received prizes valued at $10,000, including a scholarship from the University of Miami’s Division of Continuing and International Education, a two-person stay at Casa Magna Marriott in Cancun, Mexico, and a trip to New York for the cover shoot. The People’s Choice winner received a two-person stay at the Santa Barbara Beach and Golf Resort in Curacao, among other prizes.
ABOUT SIEMPRE MUJER
Launched in 2005 by Meredith Corporation (NYSE: MDP, www.meredith.com), Siempre Mujer is the only magazine written for, by and about the modern U.S. Hispanic woman who is actualizing her goal of success. With fresh, authentic and inspiring content, Siempre Mujer has become one of the leading Spanish language women’s magazines and the Latina’s source for the things she cares about most; beauty, style, fitness, fashion, arts, culture, and career, helping her be the best woman she can be, a leader, a doer, and a role model. Siempre Mujer reaches 1.8 million readers every issue, and is published on a bi-monthly basis. SiempreMujer.com provides the latest in beauty and fashion trends, and original editorial content about relationships, current events, celebrity news and entertainment.
ABOUT AIR OPTIX® COLORS CONTACT LENSES
AIR OPTIX® COLORS contact lenses are the first monthly replacement, daily wear color lenses available in the US on a silicone hydrogel platform. AIR OPTIX® COLORS contact lenses are recommended for daily wear with a monthly replacement schedule. Available COLORS include Brilliant Blue, Gemstone Green, Sterling Gray, Honey, Pure Hazel, Blue, Green, Gray and Brown. AIR OPTIX® COLORS contact lenses are prescription medical devices. See product instructions for complete wear, care and safety information.
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI
The University of Miami’s mission is to educate and nurture students, to create knowledge, and to provide service to our community and beyond. Committed to excellence and proud of our diversity of our University family, we strive to develop future leaders of our nation and the world.
NOTE TO EDITORS: A high-resolution image is available at: http://hispanicprwire.com/en/multimedia/
