Yostin Lissette Pasek Patiño

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.