Justine Pasek
Budding Engineer and
Miss Universe 2002
AS JUSTINE PASEK IS CROWNED MISS UNIVERSE 2002
First Time in 52-year History Runner-Up To Be Crowned Miss Universe 2002
New York, – September 23, 2002 – The Miss Universe Organization announced
today that Oxana Fedorova of Russia has stepped down as MISS UNIVERSE 2002,
and
the first runner-up, Justine Pasek of Panama, will ascend to the title and
serve the
remaining nine months of the reign.
Citing personal reasons, Fedorova is relinquishing her position today because
she has
been unable to fulfill the duties required of the title. The MISS UNIVERSE
crown comes
with a large array of responsibilities including, but not limited to, extensive
international
travel as a goodwill ambassador in the fight against HIV/AIDS, the official
cause of
MISS UNIVERSE.
“We are extremely excited that Justine Pasek will be wearing the crown and
are
confident that she will be both dynamic and have great impact in her new position,”
explains Paula Shugart, President of the Miss Universe Organization. “We wish
Oxana
all the best in her future endeavors and welcome Justine to our organization,”
adds
Shugart.
Justine Pasek, a crowd favorite during the 2002 MISS UNIVERSE competition,
is a
22-year-old native of Panama. She works in television production and plans
to
complete a degree in Environmental Engineering, someday working for the Smithsonian
Research Center, educating the public about conservation. “ I am looking forward
to
taking on the responsibilities of MISS UNIVERSE and moving to New York City.
I will
work to make this transition as easy as possible for the Miss Universe Organization
and
its supporters, sponsors and charitable partners, so that I can quickly and
seamlessly
get to the work that must get done,” said Pasek.
As Pasek steps into the role of MISS UNIVERSE 2002 she will travel extensively
working
with internationally recognized AIDS/HIV organizations, including the Global
Health
Council, the Harvard AIDS Institute, AmFAR, and the Center for Disease Control’s
“Act
Now” campaign. As a “celebrity” spokesperson, she will be responsible for
working with
the media globally to generate a better understanding and acceptance of AIDS
and HIV
and its prevention; while helping increase awareness, funding and resources
for these
key organizations.
MISS
UNIVERSE SACKED AFTER FOUR MONTHS
23/09/2002 - 08:33:45
Miss Universe has been sacked after less than four months amid rumours that
she is pregnant.
Russian Oxana Fedorova has been stripped of her title because she refused
to fulfil the
obligations of the title.
Multi-millionaire property tycoon Donald Trump, who owns the competition,
told the New York
Post: “It’s too bad it didn’t work out better with Oxana, but our new Miss
Universe is equally
beautiful and she is a tremendous crowd pleaser.”
The new title holder is Justine Pasek of Panama (left) who was runner-up when
Federova was
crowned in Puerto Rico.
Contest officials were said to have been concerned that Federova might be
secretly married to
her boyfriend, which would be a violation of the Miss Universe rules.
“She’s gained about 15 pounds and we think she might be pregnant,” one told the Post.
Federova was sacked in a letter which said: “Your continuing refusal to perform
your duties as a
Miss Universe titleholder has, and will, cost the Miss Universe Organisation
hundreds of
thousands of dollars while gravely affecting our reputation.”
JUSTINE
PASEK
New MISS UNIVERSE 2002
Justine
Pasek, a crowd favorite during the 2002 MISS UNIVERSE competition, is a
22-year-old native of Panama City, Panama. She has been recognized all over
the
world for her supermodel looks and humble personality. Her natural beauty
is
indicative of the beauty in the new millennium. As Justine moves to New York
City
to take on the title of Miss Universe, she is ready to work hard as an ambassador
for
women around the world by representing the Miss Universe Organization.
Before putting on the crown, Justine worked in production for television specials,
charity events, theater musicals and fashion shows. She plans to someday
complete a degree in Environmental Engineering, and then work for the Smithsonian
Research Center, educating the public about environmental conservation. During
her reign as Miss Panama, she has worked with Casa Esperanza, which is an
organization that helps street kids get off the street and into schools. She
has also
set up fashion shows for charitable organizations such as the Red Cross, FANLIC
(Fundsacion Amigos Ninos Con Leucemia Y Cancer), Fundacion Son Felipe, among
others.
Panama, Slovenia & Nicaragua
Justine
is the daughter of a software engineer for the Panama Canal Authority and
a
homemaker. She is the oldest of three; her two brothers are 12 and 14. Her
Grandfather was a marine in World War II and a pilot for the Panama Canal
Commission. She has a very close relationship with her parents and has been
a
mentor to her younger siblings. She has had her family’s support as a competitor
in
swimming, basketball and volleyball and has enjoyed drawing, ballet, tap,
salsa and
gourmet cooking lessons throughout her childhood.
As Miss Universe 2002, Pasek will travel extensively working with internationally
recognized AIDS/HIV organizations, including the Global Health Council, the
Harvard AIDS Institute, AmFAR, and the Center for Disease Control’s “Act Now”
campaign. As a “celebrity” spokesperson, she will be responsible for working
with
the media globally to generate a better understanding and acceptance of AIDS
and
HIV and its prevention; while helping increase awareness, funding and resources
for
these key organizations.
