Yidegar Santiago Zuniga, who won Mr. Cerritos earlier this year, has a new crown upon his head.

The Cerritos College alum was named Mr. California USA 2012 on June 10 after beating out 14 other finalists in a competition in Seal Beach.

The Mr. California competition marks the second pageant for Zuniga, and his second win.

“The first thing I did was thank God,” Zuniga, public relations and acting major, said. “It felt amazing. But more than anything, it’s a responsibility that I have to represent well. I must not let the title make me, but let me make the title.”

Zuniga, who graduated from Cerritos College in the Spring with honors, was hesitant at first, but decided to enter the Mr. Cerritos pageant in March after recalling support from his fellow peers.

Zuniga actually had no intention of going for Mr. California, until he won Mr. Cerritos.

“It motivated me because it would be a chance to reach out to the community on a bigger scale,” Zuniga said. “I was very nervous because I (have) never done a pageant at the professional level. I felt that I needed to step it up a whole notch and be very professional.”

With about a month of preparation, Zuniga impressed Mr. California pageant judges in a timed personal interview, casual and formal wear, and during an onstage question and answer segment.

“We look for some one who is dedicated to (his) community,” Sarah Ahmadinia, director of California Pageant Productions, said.

“That’s what our judges look for. The pageant is not based on beauty but rather what’s in [his] heart and how (he) gives back to his community.

“(Zuniga) gave more than 100 percent. He was very conscious and aware of his community. He had all the qualities, he was a leader and he showed what our organization was all about,” Ahmadinia said.

Zuniga took home a trophy, his crown, a Mr. California sash, and a $1,000 scholarship that he said he will put to use as he continues his first semester at the University of Southern California.

As Mr. California, Zuniga is required to attend various community events throughout the year and to represent a specific charity.

“I chose to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation,” Zuniga said, “This organization works so hard to help out children and make their wishes come true. I want to be a part of that.

“It is a very beautiful and magical thing that (Make-A-Wish does), and to put a smile on a child’s face is worth all the trouble in the world.”

Zuniga has not yet started working with Make-A-Wish, but is eager to get going.

He hopes to provide the foundation help in Spanish-speaking communites, which he said is an area in need of assistance.

As a Cerritos College student, Zuniga was active in student government and various campus clubs where he volunteered for organizations like Habitat For Humanity and Relay For Life. He also worked with children and participated in an AIDS walk.

“He’s a super outgoing guy,” Raquel Ramirez, current reigning Cerritos College homecoming queen, said.

“He was always very involved in student government and trying to get other students involved. He is results-driven, always trying to pass legislation and make a real change on campus.”

Zuniga’s academics at Cerritos College were also exceptional. Zuniga graduated on the Scholars Honors Program at Cerritos College, was listed on the EOPS Wall of Fame every semester he attended, and was also on the dean’s and president’s lists.

He was also inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society for community colleges.

“I think more than anything that, (Cerritos College) was my home away from home,” Zuniga said. “At Cerritos College, I grew and matured and learned more than academics, I learned about life in general. I am very thankful to Cerritos College for that.

“More than all that, all the memories I share with all the friends I made in the (various clubs) was certainly an amazing, memorable experience in general and I will never forget that.

“I hope (students) learn that you can always achieve your goals no matter how hard your obstacles seem,” Zuniga said.

“I want to remind every student to always strive for excellence and to get involved!”