At the 2012 Miss Teen Universe pageant in Managua, Nicaragua, Julissa Castro Cubillo was one of the early favorites. She made a big splash during a fashion event that took place before the finals. Entrepreneur Enrique Gonzalez, who is the main organizer of the event and the current owner of the Miss Teen Universe franchise, mentioned to La Nacion last week that Julissa impressed the audience at the fashion show.

In the end, Julissa had to settle for the second runner-up spot in the pageant. Miss Teen Panama Sasha Nikyta Kam was crowned Miss Teen Universe, while Miss Teen Philippines Clarisse Marie Obia was selected as the first runner up. Miss Clarise Obia’s selection as first runner-up was festively received in her home country, as she was the only Asian contestant, and also since Filipinos celebrate feminine beauty with national pride.

The Miss Teen contestants from Canada, Brazil and Isla Margarita rounded up the finalists. The final presentation took place at the Ruben Dario National Theater last night.

Julissa Castro, like many other young Ticas who begin preparing for the Miss Teen pageant from an early age, is already a veteran of the beauty circuit -at the age of 17. She is the current Miss Teen Model, and she confessed to La Nacion that she is very serious about one day being crowned Miss Costa Rica. She is from San Pedro de Poas and currently studies in the 11^th grade of vocational and high school education at the Technical School of San Rafael in Poas. This is her second international pageant, as she has represented Costa Rica in the past by traveling to a pageant in El Salvador.

Costa Rica’s track record on Miss Teen pageants is approaching that of Venezuela in Miss Universe pageants. Costa Rica has won Miss Teen International three times, with the current Miss Costa Rica Nazareth Cascante winning in 2009.