For 30-year-old Halima Hoy, stepping onto the Miss Universe stage as Miss Belize was more than just a dream realized. It was a powerful reflection of her unwavering Christian faith, perseverance, and the values she learned from her childhood.

Born in Belize to a Guatemalan mother and a Belizean father who practices Islam, Hoy grew up in a home where cultural diversity was celebrated, and that experience shaped her entire life outlook. Faith, in particular, is the cornerstone of everything she does, guiding both her personal and professional journey.

“My husband and I enjoy growing in our faith, both as individuals and as a couple,” she shared. “We’ve built our marriage and our life together on it. We’ve seen firsthand how faith strengthens our relationship and helps us stay grounded, no matter what we’re facing.”

Though the path to pageantry wasn’t always clear, Halima’s childhood dreams of competing began to take shape when she was a little girl watching pageants with her mother.

“I wasn’t a shy child,” she recalled. “I participated in shows from elementary school all the way to junior college. But growing up in a poor community with little financial support made something like Miss Universe seem like a far-off dream.”

Yet, years later, after marrying and building a stable life with her husband, Halima found herself revisiting that childhood aspiration. “My husband and I talked about it, and he said, ‘You know what? Go ahead and chase your dreams,’” she remembered.

Representing Belize on the global stage was something Halima embraced with all her heart. “It was so easy because I love my country,” she said. “The easiest part was talking about Belize in interviews, representing it whenever I spoke to people from different countries. I’m so proud to be Belizean.”

Even though she’s lived in the U.S. for a few years now, her feelings for her home country remain just as strong as when she lived there. “You know the beauty; the people; the warmth,” she marveled. “I’m motivated by the love I feel for my country.”

While the world of pageantry can be filled with challenges and controversy, Halima’s experience was overwhelmingly positive. “Everyone has been so supportive. The journey was very challenging, but I had such a smooth road, and I’m incredibly grateful for that.”

Beyond the glitz and glamour of the competition, Halima used her platform to promote health and fitness, a cause close to her heart. As a personal trainer and science student, she worked alongside UNICEF and the Ministry of Health in Belize to advocate for healthier lifestyles.

“One of my most memorable moments was working with children at a school for ‘friendly abled children,’” she recalled, describing the term as children with disabilities. “We did arts and crafts, read stories with them—it was such a beautiful experience. I can’t wait to do it again.”

Growing up in a family that celebrated diverse traditions and values, Halima credits her upbringing for shaping her strong sense of identity. “Hispanic culture is grounded in values,” she said. “My mom always taught me to be respectful and ambitious, no matter where we came from. Even though we had little, my parents always encouraged me to aim for more.”

Cooking, a staple in many Latino households, remains an important tradition in her life. “No matter how little we had, my mom would always make a meal out of it. She was so creative and resourceful. That’s something I want my children to learn—how to work with what you have.”

Today, Halima uses her story to inspire young women who may be unsure of their own worth.

“For years, I didn’t think I was worthy of being Miss Universe Belize because we grew up poor,” she said. “I limited myself. But I realized my value isn’t determined by my surroundings—it’s in my mind. That’s the message I want to pass on: it doesn’t matter where you come from, there’s always more out there if you stay consistent and ambitious.”

She encourages young women to stop seeking validation from others. “People may try to make you feel like you don’t belong in certain spaces. Take up space. Think big. Don’t let anyone put a limit on your value.”

Although her pageant career is behind her, Halima’s journey is far from over. “I don’t think pageantry is in the future for me because I’m thirty now, and there aren’t many pageants for women my age. But I want to remain a role model for young girls, especially those from communities like mine.”

She and her husband, who recently celebrated their seventh anniversary, are focused on building their future. “I’m working on my Bachelor’s degree and eventually want to get my Master’s. And, of course, we want to start a family.”

After living in Los Angeles, Halima and her husband decided to relocate to Houston, drawn by its strong pro-family and pro-God values and cultural similarities to Belize. “We had friends who moved here and loved it. When we visited, we saw how much Houston values family and faith. It reminded us of home. There’s so much diversity in our community, and we love that.”

Faith remains at the core of Halima’s life and success. “My husband grew up with his father as a pastor. He told me, ‘We’re married now, we have to strengthen our faith as a couple.’ So we started going to church together, and it changed everything for us.”

Even after moving to Houston, they continue to watch sermons from their LA church every Sunday. “The more our faith grew, the more blessings we saw. Miss Universe was something I prayed for, and my husband prayed for me too. We felt those blessings multiply when we did it together.”

Her faith has also transformed how she interacts with others. “Having patience, being understanding, and not being judgmental—those things became more important to me as I strengthened my faith. Loving your neighbor is a commandment I take seriously. You never know what someone is going through, so it’s important to show grace.”

Halima is deeply grateful for the people who supported her journey. “My team at Miss Universe Belize was incredible. I’ve heard horror stories from other contestants, but my directors were amazing. They made the entire experience positive and uplifting.”

As she moves forward, Halima remains committed to her faith, her family, and uplifting others. Through advocacy, mentorship, or simply sharing her story, she hopes to continue making a meaningful impact, proving that no matter where you come from, faith and perseverance can take you anywhere.