Karen Villarreal entered Conexión’s Hottest Latina Contest this year at the urging of her boyfriend.

He wasn’t the only one who thought she had a winning combination of beauty, charm and intellect.

The petite and curvaceous 19-year-old wowed contest judges with her outgoing personality, ambition and confidence. Her poise and good looks sealed the deal for judges, two of whom gave her perfect scores in the crucial interview process that determines the contest winner.

For all these reasons and more, Karen is Conexión’s Hottest Latina 2009.

“I feel so glamorous. This is incredible. All the beautiful clothes, people doing my hair and makeup, I feel like a celebrity,” Karen said during the photo shoot for this issue’s cover and center spread.

Being Conexión’s cover model isn’t the contest’s only prize. Karen wins a $1,500 shopping spree at Macy’s and will appear on KABB’s weekday morning show “Fox News First” on May 28.

Conexión readers can meet Karen and other Hottest Latina finalists at the Hottest Latina After Party at 6 p.m. Sunday, May 31, at España Bar de Tapas, 5638 Hausman Road.

Karen said she entered Conexión’s Hottest Latina Contest because she wanted a platform where she could tell other women about the importance of “embracing their curves” and loving their bodies.

“I think it’s important to be healthy. That’s what’s most important,” Karen said in a recent Conexión interview.

The San Antonio native plans to combine her interest in health with her desire to be a broadcast journalist. Karen is a freshman at UTSA where she’s majoring in mass communications and nutrition.

Karen hopes to use a career in the media to educate people that good health, a good attitude and positive self-esteem are the pathways to success.