Last weekend, the 65th annual Miss Universe pageant took place in the Mall of Asia Arena in the Philippines with Miss France, Iris Mittenaere, taking home the crown. Miss Haiti, Raquel Pelissier, finished runner-up.
It was the first time since 1975 that the country had a runner-up in the pageant.
Upon her return to the United States, Pelissier was welcomed into the Caribbean Marketplace at the Little Haiti Cultural Complex in Miami earlier this week and was welcome by fellow Haitian and Washington Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garçon.
Garçon escorted her through the Caribbean Marketplace before she spoke those in attendance, mostly Haitian Americans.
"She represented us very well," Garcon told *The Miami Herald*. "I was very happy she made it to the final two."
Garçon, of course, remains heavily involved in Haiti and visited the country last fall to help deliver supplies to those in need following the impact of Hurricane Matthew.
"Being from Haiti gives me strength," Garçon said. "As a football player, I never give up on anything or any task. I represent Haiti everywhere I go."
