2019 Mexican Pavilion Ambassadors
Glenda Baltazar
Youth Ambassador
Mexican Pavilion
Glenda Baltazar was born in Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas (Mexico). She has lived in the United States as well as several cities within mexico throughout her lifetime and is currently living in Steinbach, Manitoba with the rest of her family. Glenda is dedicated to school most the time, but she also enjoys volunteering in different areas, as well as spending time with her friends and family. She will be a senior at the Steinbach Regional Secondary School (SRSS) and will be attending the Uof M in the following year.
Kenay Maldonado
Youth Ambassador
Mexican Pavilion
Kenay Pablo Maldonado De La Torre (yes, thanks to my Mexican parents it is a long name. So Mexican). Although Kenay was born in Winnipeg, he has lived in a small and friendly town called Ashern and gone to school in another town called Moosehorn, Manitoba for most of his life. His family then moved to Winnipeg two and a half years ago and it’s been awesome! There are so many things to do in the city. Besides his regular activities, he has taken Manga classes; has been part of a basketball team, etc. Now… Folklorama!
Kenay was a mascot for the Mexican Pavilion last year. In 2019, he is the proud Youth Ambassador for the “Viva la Vida” pavilion. He can’t wait to share with new and old friends what it is like to be Mexican.
Maria Lira
Adult Ambassador
Mexican Pavilion
Maria Lira is a graduate student in Natural Resources and Environmental Management at University of Manitoba. She was born in Michoacan, Mexico and graduated from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. She moved to Winnipeg in 2016 and since then, she has been very interested in promoting latin culture and being part of a multi-cultural community. Her graduate research focuses on indigenous communities, their relationship with global markets and how they manage their natural resources. In her spare time, Maria enjoys latin dancing, traveling, meditation, outdoors and cooking.
Juan Carlos Franco
Adult Ambassador
Mexican Pavilion
Juan Carlos was born and raised in Mexico City. He attended the Amauta University in Mexico, pursuing an Accounting degree. He immigrated to Winnipeg in 2014 and since then he has made Canada his home. He has actively participated with the Mexican Pavilion as part of the Culinary team in 2017 and as an Adult Ambassador in 2018. This year, he is looking forward to representing Mexico and to showcase it richness in culture, traditions and gastronomy during Folklorama, besides making new friends and being a mentor to his fellow Mexican Ambassadors. In his spare time he enjoys playing soccer.