RN-T.com - Locals celebrate Mexican Guatemalan independence

Four girls in traditional Mexican and Guatemalan dresses waited to hear who had sold the most raffle tickets and would be named queen of an independence celebration.With 521 tickets sold, Joandra Ocampo, 17, was crowned.“It feels good,” Joandra said. “I appreciate everyone supporting me and I feel more part of the community.

”The contest was part of an event Sunday at the Rome Civic Center celebrating Mexico’s and Guatemala’s independence from Spain.“We remember with pride the people that were involved in that movement,” said Carlos Hernandez, a Mexican-born Rome resident. During the event, the emcee called out names of men who fought to help free Mexico and Guatemala from Spain’s monarchy. Many of them were priests.

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