5/10/98

Veruska Ramírez receives doll from her "Hawaiian Mommy!"

Sunday, May 10th 1998, two days before pageant night - the contestants of the 1998 Miss Universe Pageant are busily rehearsing for the live telecast. With a break of only a few minutes, the Miss Venezuela delegate, a perennial pageant favorite, is whisked out a back exit away from the commotion. Reason being - a close client of NiniMomo has a very special gift for her.

NiniMomo's client, Jan Kelson, affectionately coined our "Hawaiian Mommy" has spent the last three weeks helping out as a volunteer for the pageant. Despite the language barrier, Jan developed a close relationship with Veruska, who held the original claim that Jan was her "Hawaiian Mommy." We couldn't help but add our names to the list! Jan wanted to present Miss Venezuela a very special gift that she would always remember her by. To show our appreciation of Mrs. Kelson, NiniMomo came up with a perfect gift - a very own replica doll of Veruska.

With only a few days to customize a Miss Venezuela doll - as she looked when she won the national title back in Fall 1997 - NiniMomo quickly went to work. Finally, two days before finals, the doll arrived safely.

Jan was working the Canteen on Sunday afternoon and luckily in came Veruska. She quickly grabbed a translator and brought Veruska outside, away from the other delegates into privacy. NiniMomo had prepared a special letter, in Spanish, of

course, explaining Jan's wonderful intentions and to introduce her to NiniMomo. Apparently all the girls were aware of NiniMomo, since Brook had her dolls on display at the Mahalo party several days prior. And per Jan's account:

"As Veruska read the letter, her eyes grew large with happiness and surprise. The translator was badgering her to speed it up (the girls were called to rehersels) so I quickly opened the shipping box and pulled out the doll. Oh my God, she was so happy and she cried something in Spanish (I didn't understand it and was too excited and forgot to ask later!) and hugged me beyond belief. I thought she was going to squeeze the life out of me! She kept crying, "Thank you, Thank you, mommy!" Later on I saw her showing all the delegates and chaperones her doll. They were all so impressed!"

Veruska went on to finish second only to Trinidad & Tobago's Wendy Fitzwilliams, who won the crown last Tuesday. Congratulations to the both of them!

NiniMomo would like to thank Jan Kelson for all the help she has given us these past three weeks. Thanks for spreading the word and for all the wonderful gifts! Can you blame us for adopting you as our "Hawaiian Mommy?" It is definitely contagious!

MAHALO!