Miss Universe Puerto Rico Contestant Meets, Inspires Newark Students

NEWARK, NJ — Another Newark high school recently got an inspiring visit from a Miss Universe Puerto Rico contestant.

Karla Guilfú Acevedo, a Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2023 contestant, made a trip to Barringer High School last week to speak with students about her efforts to create programs in Puerto Rico to support mental health among the local youth.

Acevedo represented Puerto Rico in the pageant held in El Salvador in November 2023, finishing fifth and winning the “Voice for Change” award. Using that achievement as a platform to advance her work in mental health for children and adolescents, she has served as crisis manager at the PAS Line – a mental health emergency phone service in Puerto Rico – providing emotional and psychological support to local youth.

Later, she created a nonprofit foundation called “Let’s Begin Healing,” which fosters good behavioral health through therapeutic tools and approaches. She also hosts her own segment on WAPA-TV, where she offers advice and support on mental health issues.

Born and raised in Patillas, Puerto Rico, Acevedo earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2020 and a master’s degree in counseling psychology at Ana G. Mendez University in Gurabo, where she now practices.

Acevedo’s visit got a big round of applause from city and school officials.

Prior to the event, Deputy Mayor of Community Engagement Jacqueline Quiles-Mercado said the community activist is inspiring others through her work with young people.

“Her work has enabled many young people to move forward, and our youth will benefit immensely from hearing her story and motivational words,” Quiles-Mercado said.

Mayor Ras Baraka agreed.

“During and after COVID, mental health disorders have risen among our young people, with the National Institute of Health now reporting that anxiety disorder alone affects almost 32 percent of all teenagers,” Baraka said.

“People like Karla remind us that everyone feels overwhelmed by feelings at different points in their lives, so it’s okay to talk about it, ask for help and learn tools for coping with stress and other triggers,” the mayor added.

Newark Board of Education Superintendent Roger Leὀn said that Acevedo’s journey “inspires us to nurture hope.”

“Her advocacy for youth mental health lights the path toward a brighter future,” Leὀn said.

Acevedo’s trip to Barringer High School isn’t the only recent visit that a Miss Universe Puerto Rico has made to a local school in Newark.

In 2023, Miss Universe Puerto Rico winner Ashley Cariño got a warm welcome at Science Park High School, where she talked to students about overcoming her personal struggles – and how she’s been overcoming them. Read More: Miss Universe Puerto Rico Visits Newark High School (PHOTOS)

• See Related: Mural In Newark Captures Spirit Of Its Sister City, San Sebastián
• See Related: Family-Owned Puerto Rican Restaurant Is Success Story In Newark

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Newark Facebook page.