2026 Royal Court Recap

APRCC Educational Award Pageant

A celebration of Puerto Rican heritage, youth leadership, confidence, and cultural pride in Aurora.

More than a crown, the pageant is a scholarship-centered cultural leadership experience where young participants honor their heritage and represent the community with poise.

Meet the 2026 Court View Highlights 2027 Interest

Court 2026 Titleholders A renewed court representing culture, service, and pride.

Heritage 4 Pueblos Lares, Rio Grande, Arecibo, and Camuy represented.

Legacy Since 1972 More than fifty years of pageant history.

Next Season 2027 Interest Families, sponsors, and volunteers can connect early.

Royal Court

Meet the 2026 Court

The 2026 APRCC Pageant Court represents Puerto Rican heritage, youth leadership, confidence, scholarship, and community pride.

Giselle Galvez

Miss Puerto Rico of Aurora 2026

Representing Lares, Puerto Rico

Giselle Galvez proudly represented Lares and earned the title of Miss Puerto Rico of Aurora 2026. She will serve as an APRCC ambassador, celebrating Puerto Rican heritage through leadership, service, and community pride.

Awards & Recognition

Miss/Teen Photogenic – TieMiss/Teen Most SpiritMiss/Teen Evening GownMiss/Teen Opening NumberMiss/Teen ScholasticMiss/Teen InterviewMiss/Teen Costume

Isabella Lopez

Miss Teen Puerto Rico 2026

Representing Rio Grande, Puerto Rico

Isabella Lopez proudly represented Rio Grande and earned the title of Miss Teen Puerto Rico 2026. She will represent APRCC as a youth cultural ambassador throughout her reign.

Awards & Recognition

Miss/Teen CongenialityMiss/Teen PopularityMiss/Teen Photogenic – Tie

Justus Jolie Colon

Little Miss Puerto Rico 2026

Representing Arecibo, Puerto Rico

Justus Jolie Colon proudly represented Arecibo with confidence, charm, and stage presence. During her reign, she will celebrate Puerto Rican heritage as a young APRCC cultural ambassador.

Awards & Recognition

Little Miss ScholasticLittle Miss Evening Gown – TieLittle Miss Photogenic – TieLittle Miss Best CostumeLittle Miss PopularLittle Miss Best Opening Number

Layla McNair

First Puerto Rican Princess of Aurora 2026

Representing Camuy, Puerto Rico

Layla McNair proudly represented Camuy and earned the title of First Puerto Rican Princess of Aurora 2026. She will serve alongside the court, celebrating culture, service, and community pride.

Awards & Recognition

Little Miss Social MediaLittle Miss Most SpiritLittle Miss Community ServiceLittle Miss Evening Gown – TieLittle Miss InterviewLittle Miss Photogenic – TieLittle Miss Congeniality

Community Celebration

Celebrating the 2026 Pageant

The 2026 APRCC Educational Award Pageant brought together contestants, families, volunteers, judges, sponsors, and APRCC leaders for a celebration of culture, preparation, poise, and pride. That celebration continued at the Heritage Festival, where APRCC brought pageantry, culture, education, and community together.

Families and community members enjoying the 2026 Heritage Festival at Wilder Park.

New Highlights

Watch 2026 Pageant Highlights

Watch highlights from the Miss Puerto Rico of Aurora, IL Pageant and celebrate the contestants, court, families, and community members who made this year memorable.

Watch Highlights on YouTube

Photo Highlights

2026 Pageant Highlights

From the royal court to evening gown and cultural heritage presentations, these moments celebrate the confidence, creativity, and Puerto Rican pride of the 2026 pageant.

The 2026 APRCC royal court representing the organization on the Heritage Festival stage. — Featured Moment **The 2026 Royal Court** The newly crowned court carried the celebration beyond pageant night, representing APRCC and Puerto Rican heritage at the 2026 festival.

Giselle Galvez appears on stage in evening gown. — Giselle Galvez Evening Gown

Layla McNair appears on stage in evening gown. — Layla McNair Evening Gown

Isabella Lopez celebrates a crowning moment. — Isabella Lopez Crowning Moment

Justus Jolie Colon celebrates a crowning moment. — Justus Jolie Colon Crowning Moment

Isabella Lopez and Giselle Galvez share a cultural heritage presentation. — Isabella & Giselle Cultural Heritage

Justus Jolie Colon shares a cultural heritage presentation. — Justus Jolie Colon Cultural Heritage

Watch Pageant Highlights

About The Program

More Than a Crown

The APRCC Educational Award Pageant is a cultural leadership experience where participants build confidence, practice public speaking, learn about Puerto Rican history and traditions, and represent their families and community with pride.

Cultural Pride

Participants celebrate Puerto Rican history, traditions, music, towns, and family heritage.

Confidence & Communication

Contestants strengthen public speaking, interview skills, stage presence, and self-expression.

Leadership & Service

Titleholders represent APRCC at community events and serve as cultural ambassadors.

Scholarship & Recognition

The program honors academic achievement, service, creativity, and personal growth.

Heritage & Identity

Represent Your Pueblo

Each contestant represents a town in Puerto Rico, connecting the pageant experience to family heritage, cultural identity, and the island’s rich history.

LaresRio GrandeAreciboCamuy

Layla McNair gives a cultural presentation representing Camuy, Puerto Rico.

Pageant Legacy

More Than a Crown Since 1972

The Miss Puerto Rico of Aurora Pageant has honored culture, confidence, education, and community pride for more than fifty years. Today, APRCC continues that legacy as a scholarship-centered cultural ambassador program for young leaders.

1972

Darlene Medina is crowned the first official Miss Puerto Rico of Aurora.

2019-2023

Giselle Torres holds the longest reign in pageant history through the COVID era.

2026

APRCC celebrates a renewed court representing Lares, Rio Grande, Arecibo, and Camuy.

Lifetime Queen Award

Honoring Pageant Legacy

The 2026 APRCC Educational Award Pageant also honored the women who have helped carry this tradition forward. APRCC recognized Iris Miller with the Lifetime Queen Award, celebrating her dedication, leadership, and service to Aurora’s Puerto Rican community.

Looking Ahead

Interested in the 2027 Pageant?

Future contestants, families, sponsors, and volunteers can email the APRCC pageant team for updates about dates, eligibility, orientation, sponsorship opportunities, and application details. Unanswered pageant questions and future contestant interest can be sent to aprccpageant@gmail.com.

Email the Pageant Team