After 2.4 million text and online votes cast by the public, Verizon Wireless crowned Dioselyn Maximo as the 2010 "My Fabulous 15" contest winner.
Standing before family and friends at a Verizon Wireless store in Panorama City to hear the voting results, Dioselyn was elated to hear her name announced and was overcome with emotion.
"It's still all so surreal," said Dioselyn. "I pleaded with all my friends and family to vote, and I'm so excited to have won. I am thankful to Verizon Wireless for this unbelievable Quinceanera!"
The grand prize Quinceanera party package valued at close to $45,000 includes:
- Dinner for 200 guests.
- A formal dress.
- Transportation to and from the party.
- LG Ally cell phones for Dioselyn and her parents.
- A private, live concert by British pop/R&B artist Jay Sean.
As a student at James Monroe High School, Dioselyn is the youngest among her circle of friends who have all had beautiful quinceaneras. However, a work-related accident suffered by her father has meant sticking to a strict family budget, which is why winning the contest is making Dioselyn's dream a reality.
"I found the response overwhelming," said Christina Gonzalez, Director of Multicultural Marketing for Verizon West Area. "Over 1.7 million teens from Los Angeles, San Jose, El Paso, Salt Lake City and Seattle entered to win, and more than 2.4 million text message and online votes were cast to pick the winner."
Many of the contestants wrote about their poverty and their unemployed parents. The quince party is estimated to be worth $45,000.