Justine Pasek Biography

Yostin Lissette "Justine" Pasek Patio (born August 29, 1979 in Kharkov) is a Polish-Panamanian model, FAO Goodwill Ambassador and beauty queen who was 1st runner up at Miss Universe 2002 and Miss Universe 2002 when the winner was dethroned.

Early life

Pasek was born in Kharkiv, the daughter of a Panamanian homemaker and Polish engineer. Affectionately called by her Polish name, "Justyna", she lived in Ukraine for a year, but spent most of her childhood in the village of Wo?uczyn near Zamo??, Poland. After her mother finished her studies in chemistry, the family moved to Panama.

Before entering the Miss Panama contest in 2001, Pasek worked as a model in television productions and fashion shows. She also planned to complete her degree in environmental engineering in New Zealand with her two younger brothers (Tedvaad and Alvaro), and later work for the Smithsonian Research Center.

Career

Pasek's start in the modelling world took place when she joined the "Chica Modelo" (a model search) contest in 1996 where she won the award for Best Editorial Model. It also gave her the chance to work for Physical Modelos, her official modeling agency as of today. As a model Pasek has taken part in calendars, commercials, and as a stewardess in different events.

Pageantry

After participating in the national contest Seorita Panam 2001 on August 30, 2001; she earned the title Seorita Panam Universe and, obtaining the right to represent her country in the 51st edition of the Miss Universe 2002 pageant, was held at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente, San Juan, Puerto Rico on May 29, 2002.

Originally the first runner-up in the Miss Universe 2002 competition, Pasek became the first woman to assume the title of Miss Universe when the Miss Universe Organization revoked the crown from then reigning titleholder Oxana Fedorova for not fulfilling the duties stipulated in her contract. After traveling to New York City for a modeling assignment, she was notified of these events in the back of a limousine, becoming the first Panamanian Miss Universe.

She was formally crowned Miss Universe 2002 by pageant co-owner Donald Trump in New York City, and a busy week of press engagements followed. Pasek also received an elaborate Mikimoto pearl encrusted crown, worth $250,000 as well as an extensive prize package. As Miss Universe, Pasek represented the Miss Universe Organization. Her "sister" 2002 titleholders were Vanessa Semrow (Miss Teen USA, of Wisconsin ) and Shauntay Hinton (Miss USA, (District of Columbia). A self-described "citizen of the world", Pasek has since traveled to Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Egypt, Aruba, Ecuador, Peru, Cuba, Canada, Mexico, and the United States. She championed the cause of HIV/AIDS and established the first HIV/AIDS prevention center in her country. As part of her year-long reign as Miss Universe, she lived in New York City in a riverside apartment provided by the Miss Universe Organization. She worked with the Global Health Council, the Harvard AIDS Institute, AmFAR, and the Centers for Disease Control's "Act Now" campaign.

Pasek relinquished her crown to Dominican Republic's Amelia Vega in the 2003 competition, held in Panama. Having worked as a model since 1996, Pasek has since modeled for Christian Dior, among other fashion campaigns.