Valerie Hernandez

Valerie Hernández Matías (born July 19, 1993 in San Juan) is a Puerto Rican model and beauty queen who was crowned Miss International 2014 in Tokyo, Japan.[1] She is the second winner from Puerto Rico after Laurie Simpson in 1987.

Valerie Hernández
Born	Valerie Hernández Matías (1993-07-19) July 19, 1993 San Juan, Puerto Rico
Height	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Title	Miss Teen International 2012 Miss International Puerto Rico 2014 Miss International 2014
Beauty pageant titleholder
Hair color	Black
Eye color	Brown
Major competition(s)	Miss Teen International 2012 (Winner) Miss Puerto Rico International 2014 (1st Runner-Up / Winner)^[note 1] Miss International 2014 (Winner)

Pageantry

Miss Teen International 2012

Hernández was crowned Miss Teen International in 2012, she was the fourth Puerto Rican to obtain this title.

Miss International Puerto Rico 2014

Valerie competed in Miss International Puerto Rico 2014 where she finished as the 1st runner-up. She later assumed the title after the original winner, Patricia Quiñones, resigned for personal reasons.

Miss International 2014

on November 11, 2014 Valerie competed in Miss International 2014 in Tokyo, Japan where she was crowned the winner by outgoing title-holder Bea Santiago of the Philippines.[1] She is the second woman from Puerto Rico to win.

During the speech round, where the Top 10 finalists were asked about their message if they become the winner, Hernandez said:

"I think it’s not just crown, it’s not just the title, it’s one of the hardest responsibility. As Miss International, I want to send a message of love, peace, and unity."

The Top 5 was composed of first-runner up Zuleika Suarez of Colombia, second runner-up Punika Kulsoontornrut of Thailand, third runner-up Victoria Tooby of the United Kingdom and fourth runner-up Milla Romppanen of Finland.

The rest of the Top 10 were representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, and Panama.

During her reigned as Miss International 2014, Valerie will work her responsibility with ICA (International Cultural Association). Meanwhile, she is traveling around cities in Japan such as Kasama, Niigata, Toshima and Tokyo.

On November 22, 2014 after staying for a while in Japan and doing some interviews, Valerie returned to her country, Puerto Rico to participate in her first interview in her country in under Miss Puerto Rico International Organization.

On May 31, 2015, Valerie and her runners-up will travel Japan again after more than 4 months left Japan and back to Puerto Rico. In this case Valerie was sponsored by Miss Paris and Japan Airlines. After missing her connecting flight in New York City from Puerto Rico, Valerie Hernandez, the reigning queen, has finally arrived in Tokyo to fulfill her duties as Miss International 2014. She now joins her runners-up who arrived yesterday and are now staying at the Tokyo Dome Hotel, which will also be the official residence of the delegates of the Miss International 2015 pageant.

In June, 2015, Valerie will attend Miss Paris Campaign and Miss International new crown launching in Tokyo. On top of the agenda of this historic visit by the Miss International 2014 top 5 winners is a trip to the Mikimoto pearl farm in Mie Prefecture, located more than 400 km west of Tokyo. Mikimoto, which became the official crown sponsor of Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA from 2001 to 2007, is now back as the official crown provider for the homegrown pageant.[2] Valerie also visited Ise Grand Shrine, local schools and Suzuka circuit for culture trip with her runners-up.

In September, Valerie traveled to Bangkok, Thailand, as a special guest at the annual Miss International Thailand 2015.

Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2018

On May 31, 2018, Hernandez was designated as Miss Carolina Universe and will compete at Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2018 for a chance to represent the island at Miss Universe 2018 but withdrew due to her previous title as Miss International 2014.[3]

References

1. Puerto Rico wins Miss International title in Japan Archived November 12, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved November 11, 2014
2. "Valerie Hernadez arrives; Miss International to have a new crown". missosology.org. Archived from the original on July 7, 2015. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
3. "Miss Carolina con un pie fuera en Miss Universe Puerto Rico". Primera Hora. August 8, 2018.

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Tanya Romero	Miss Carolina Universe 2018	Succeeded by Tanya Romero
Preceded by Bea Santiago	Miss International 2014	Succeeded by Edymar Martínez
Preceded by Ashley Beth Pérez	Miss Puerto Rico International 2014	Succeeded by Wilmary Monción
Preceded by Adriana Paniagua	Miss Teen International 2012	Succeeded by Isabella Novaes Menin
Preceded by Rebeca Valentín García	Miss Teen Puerto Rico 2012	Succeeded by Caroline González Torres