Miss USA 2013 Contestants' Bio: Miss Florida 2013 Michelle Aguirre [PICS]

By Stefan Lopez (staff@latinospost.com) | First Posted: Jun 14, 2013 03:21 PM EDT

In our ongoing segment on some of the top contenders for the Miss USA pageant, we take a look today at the lovely Michelle Aguirre. She will represent the state of Florida in this year's pageant, which will be held Jun. 16 in Las Vegas, Nev.

Aguirre is a native of Hialeah, Fla. and is a self-described "blonde, Cuban beach bum," according to her <a href="https://twitter.com/RealMissFLusa" target="_blank">Twitter profile</a>. She aims to be the second woman from the state of Florida to hold the title of Miss USA.

"Pageants have given me the opportunity to really get to know myself on a level I never knew was possible. I love that pageants have inspired me to become a better person and strive to reach my personal best," says the Miss USA hopeful.

Aguirre loves all things quintessentially Florida, including boating, fishing, water sports, and, of course, the beach. She also has a special passion for helping others, and is studying elementary education at Florida International University.

"Michelle's passion for helping others is evident in the volunteer work she does for Best Buddies, Susan G. Komen, Veteran's Hospital, and the American Cancer Society in which she was recently recognized for her work on behalf of Relay For Life," according to her <a href="https://www.missuniverse.com/missusa/members/profile/656257/2013" target="_blank">pageant profile</a>.

Aguirre's stunning good looks certainly give her a legitimate chance of taking down the crown. She won Miss Florida by dazzling during the evening gown segment in an unconventional, eye-popping red dress that won over the crowd. She's a fair-skinned, blonde bombshell, and Aguirre notes that her looks <a href="https://www.cyinterview.com/2013/04/blonde-beautiful-and-heading-to-miss-usa-pageant-miss-florida-michelle-aguirre-talks-about-getting-into-the-game-and-her-plans-to-take-the-national-title/" target="_blank">don't betray her heritage</a>.

"A lot of people don't know that I'm actually Hispanic. I am Cuban. That can come up very surprising because of the blonde hair and blue eyes. ... I've grown as a woman and I never thought I'd get to this point where I've been just so confident about myself. I've found who I really am and I can't wait to show the judges that and to show my family and to show the audience."