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Guest
The ten finalists selected to compete for the title of Miss World T&T were introduced to the public during a reception last Thursday at the Audrey Jeffers House, St Clair.
New franchise holder for the Miss World T&T pageant Brian Gopaul said the selection process was very difficult since so many young women who were equally good attended the screening.
“We had to consider many different things,” he said. “Some of the young women will even get the chance to come back next year.”
Gopaul said he is confident the “very unique and strong young women” that made it past the screening are “perhaps ten of the strongest candidates we have seen in pageantry in Trinidad and Tobago for over a decade.”
He said his team is working hard to ensure the girls are well prepared for the international contest to be held in December.
The aim for Miss World T&T is to “produce an ambassador that will represent our brand, Trinidad and Tobago, to the highest standard— someone who will take our brand and our country into the market to promote tourism and for development,” he explained.
Gopaul added, “I want women to know that it doesn’t end with a pageant but it is what they do with the pageant and how they use the tool to reach the underprivileged and unfortunate. We want to mentor our girls to understand that there is life after pageantry and this is where they come in to help other young people, to uplift and empower others for a better society.”
Asked how he feels about the support he has received thus far, the new franchise holder admitted he is quite impressed. Gopaul, who is in the events planning industry, said many of his suppliers had come forward to contribute.
“We are hoping that once things are going right, we get the government to understand that we are not just doing this for pageantry or crowning a girl. We are putting country first and doing it with a sense of national pride,” he said.
Gopaul hopes T&T will support the venture and the young women.
“At times like this when we are faced with so many challenges, we must try every venture possible to uplift the youth and their development. We need to believe in these delegates and believe in our youth because they are the future and if we can just begin with a little change, we can definitely make a great difference,” he said.
FINALISTS
n Kirsty Roopnarine, Miss San Fernando, 24, attorney-at-Law.
n Ysabel Bisnath, Miss Port-of-Spain West, 25, attorney-at-Law.
n Britney Smith, Miss South Oropouche, 25, teacher.
n Dennisha Lewis, Miss Point Fortin, 24, employee of the Ministry of Works and Transport
n Tishanna Mitchell, Miss St Augustine, 24, pursuing MSc in Psychology
n Jessica James, Miss Mc Bean, Couva, 26, national athlete and fitness coach
n Marissa Mahadeo, Miss Roystonia, Couva, 26, teacher
n Halle Crawford, Miss Maraval, 19, bank employee
n Maya Cozier, Miss St Ann’s, 25, film maker
n Aliyah Fraser, Miss Chaguanas, 20, currently pursuing a BA in English.