Miss Bermuda Raises Funds Dressed In ‘Rags’
Yesterday [Sept.21] Miss Bermuda Jana Outerbridge hosted a “Rag Mannequin” event to help raise funds to compete in the upcoming Miss World Pageant in London. Ms Outerbridge set up outside the Phoenix Store on Reid Street, collecting donations while wearing a dress featuring a skirt made of shredded newspapers.
The concept behind the “Rag Mannequin” event was to raise funds by showing the public that without funding she will not “be a fine representation of our beautiful island.”
Ms Outerbridge, who represented St. George’s, won the 2011 Miss Bermuda Pageant on June 12th, beating 15 other competitors for the title. The 22-year-old is a graduate of Tennessee State University and participated in the Cabinet Office Jumpstart Programme working as a Cabinet Office intern.
She will host an additional fundraising party this coming Saturday [Sept.24] at Docksiders on Front Street, with DJ Smokey, DJ Aztec and Vybez Alliance. Goslings and Docksiders have donated supplies/venue to assist in the efforts.
The 61st Miss World Pageant will be held on 6th November 2011, in London, England. 32 years ago, when the Miss World was also held in London in November, Bermuda’s own Gina Swainson won the crown, marking the first – and only – time a Bermudian won a major beauty pageant.
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- PLP Donate To Miss Bermuda | Bernews.com | September 30, 2011
Hmmm…nice shoes!
This young woman looks good in rags too!!! Jana do your thing!! I would wish you luck, but you don’t need it!! You got it made!!
Surely the organisors knew before the event was held in June that the winner would need funding to go to Miss World? Why wasn’t this sorted out months ago? Now we have the winner begging for money like a panhandler. A very pathetic sight and not at all the type of advertising for Bermuda. Is that the dress she’ll be wearing for the National Costume portion?
Isn’t this whole point of this “Rag” event? to shock the community and bring awarness to the fact that more local support is needed for Jana. The Miss Bermuda organization have been asking for support for the pageant (and whoever was subsequently crowned as Miss Bermuda) long before the pageant was even put on, but was either out right rejected or met with excuses as to why they couldn’t help. Some business who actually carried the goods that was needed (ie. shoes, clothing, etc) refused for whatever reason.
The organizer of Miss Bermuda has done what she can but the additional expenses are too much for one person to take on themselves. I do think, however, the people came up with “Rag” sceme did an excellent job in getting everyone’s attention. The people who have made donations and helped Jana with her fund raising should be commended, every bit nomatter how large or small helps.
Where are the Corporate Sponsors??? Why is she having to do the majority of her own fundraising?? I’m sure if she was to do really well they (the Corporate World) will all want her to be their spokes person then . . . You’ll want her then so why not help her out now . . .
Good question Team Jana, sadly I’ve noticed that down here people don’t rally behind you until after you prove yourself on a international level even if it is something positive.
This is something that tourism should spend their money on instead of wasting it on a failing tourism economy!
Sorry, we should have mentioned this in the article – according to a recent RG article, the Department of Tourism is paying for her airline ticket to London.
Just the ticket? What about hotel, transportation to and from the airport and to adn from the hotel and venue, what about additional expenses? Surely our gov can foot this simple bill. May I ask how other pagent winners expenses for this Miss World Pagent are being taken care of? Maybe they have corporate sponsers, or dare I say, maybe their govenrments are footing the bill!!
Makes you wonder…..
Government does not own the Miss Bermuda contest. The franchise is owned or run by an independent organisation. Do we even know if the organisers asked the Government officially for a grant to cover the expenses? And in this economic climate, if the government said they were covering all expenses, then some sectors of society would scream bloody murder.
I firmly believe that the organisers should have ensured the money was there for the trip and Miss Outerbridge should not have had to be out there like this, however I do give her lots of credit for being willing to do it.
Are you saying that Government has to own something to support or sponsor it? She is going to represent our Country that should be enough for them to want to come on board. However I do agree that this should have been thought out and planned by the organizer ahead of time.
And what about the hundreds of athletes that represent Bermuda away each year? Should Government pay for all them as well? Right now unless you kick ball or hit a cricket bat, you have to pay to go away and represent Bermuda.
Give a little to all or don’t give to any
The Bermuda Government did not organize the Miss Bermuda Pageant so in fact they have no obligation to provide funding unless they sponsered the event. I would support the Governemnt if they made a donation towards this cause.
The financial responsibility is on organizers to have done what was required well in advance and I suggest whoever was behind putting on the Pageant this year take a few years off until they can handle such an event.
This isn’t about obligation “purple” it”s about doing what’s right. Is it too far fetched to expect partial support/sponsorship from the government when you are going abroad to represent the country?
The organizers have fulfilled their financial duties by producing the pageant and making sure that we have a “Miss Bermuda” to send to Miss World. Everything that was promised to the title holder as outlined in the contract was provided and more. However, there are additional expenses (outside the necessities that were provided) that need to be covered. In most countries these expenses are covered by goverment, local businesses and private sponsors.
It’s ridiculous to assume that The Miss Bermuda director(and team) haven’t been working feverishly to garner this support. It’s equally ridiculous to think that all these expenses should be paid for out of pocket by the director.
In my opinon the organizers of the pageant have done an excellent job and should be commended instead of ridiculed by people who don’t know half of what it takes to put on an event such as this.
And they only brought her a coach class ticket not even business class
She only needs coach.
What happened to all the ticket money from the show here? That place was packed and tickets were like $70? Guessing around 500 people went so where did the $35,000 from the door go? The show was nice but it didn’t cost that much to put on?
Especially with the broken “Miss Bermuda” sign .. I hope they got a refund on that! lol
your calculations are a little off,you left out: site fees, lighting, production fees, hair, make up, sparkly designer opening number dresses and shoes for all contestants, dresses for 24th of may appearance, car rentals for 24th of may, van rentals for other appearences, catering, cost to create and print programmes, calendars, etc, etc. I don’t need to go down the whole list you get my point
Those ticket sales helped but a lot of the expenses relating to not only the show itself, but everything leading up to it, was paid for out of pocket with little to no help from local sponsors. And the show wasn’t just “nice” it was AMAZING and it cost a small fortune to put on.
She is has to do everything on her own which is a shame the organizer of the Miss Bermuda Pagent gave her 1 dress and 1 dress only, meanwhile the ladies that she is going up against will be dressed in designer clothes. Jana has also been to CC Boutique and Cecile to ask for dresses to borrow for the competition and their response was “it is a recession and we can’t afford to loan you any dresses”. It’s a shame that this beautiful young lady has to beg to represent her own country. I bet if she wins the powers that be will be the first to pose in pictures.
thats not acceptable to me…doesn’t the owner of the Miss Bermuda pageant run a wedding business that brings in bridesmaids/wedding dresses? Surely they have a selection they could loan her?
Yes she does, and if you know her like I do you would know that she would never let Jana go to Miss World in sub-standard evening wear. The multiple gowns/cocktail dresses that she’s donating (not just one like what ICT said)are from reputed designers that are often used in international competition.
That’s good then.
It’s really a matter of “too little too late”. How can you compete in Miss World wearing off the shelf dresses? She will be ridiculed before she steps on stage. All outfits at that level, this is not a local pageant, need to be made specifically for the event, with shoes etc to match. At least the experience will be enlightening.
Where are you getting your info from? You sound like someone who’s semi-close to the situation but you don’t even have a quarter of the facts. Are you really serious about that “1 dress” comment? It’s amazing how people who don’t know half of what it takes to put on a pageant of this magnitude and all that it entails have so much to say. I know first hand what has and hasn’t been done for Jana and I think it’s very unfair to throw rocks at Milika(yes she is real person, not a faceless organization) and imply that she is cheap when she has not only exhausted her own resources but poured blood, sweat and tears into this event to even make it possible.
Based on your comments about CC Boutique and Cecile you have a small idea of what Milika and her team has had to deal with to get sponsorship for ANYTHING pageant related on this island. The truth is if it wasn’t for Milka and everything she has done over the past couple of years WE WOULDN’T EVEN HAVE A MISS BERMUDA so if ANYONE deserves to be in those pictures when Jana wins Miss World you best believe it’s her!
this is sad, that a Bermudian Miss Bermuda has to do this to get money. Not a good look or impression for Bermuda. In most of the world the Miss World, Miss Universe contestants are national icons. When they win their national contest, they are showered with gifts and sponsors are clammoring to assist. For our fashion houses and or boutiques not to take this on and sponsor this well it can only be discribed as sad.
Seeing a miss Bermuda resort to holding a bucket on Reid Street is well Sad. I however, applaud Miss Bermuda for doing whatever it takes to represent her country. Her spirit, and commitment is awesome good for you shame on us.
I wish there was a “like” button on this website, I agree with your comments 100%. Jana shouldn’t have to ask her country for help it should be offered. but the fact that she’s taking initiative and doing what it takes (no matter how some people may feel about it) to get the additional funding says a lot about her character.
I agree…I would like a ‘LIKE’ button for this comment also. Well said!
not a good look for Miss Bermuda. Bermuda had nothing to do with this… at all. Did you promise this girl you would pay for this trip… I dont think you did. It is a month before she is due to get on the plane and now the lack of funds is coming out and she has no growns to wear… hello why were we Bermudians not told months ago she would need help…
I agree with the majority of what is being said above. Where are the Corporate Sponsors? Why havent those (individual and/or corporate bodies) who possess the funds to do so, stepped up to ensure that Miss Bermuda will be the best representation of our country once she touches down on UK soil?
Even before the crowning of a Miss Bermuda there should have been support from the government to ensure that whomever won the title would be financially set for competing overseas. The other ladies from around the world definitely do not have to ask anyone to help fund their competition expenses because their governments are behind them 100% from day 1. Miss Outerbridge was even working for the government and yet all Tourism has done is purchase her plane ticket? She will be in London for about three weeks – there is a long list of items and expenses that will need to be taken care of while she is there and it is completely unfair to expect her to cover it all on her own.
While I do believe any organizer of a pageant/contest is responsible for securing funds that will support the winner in various endeavours during the upcoming year, there really is only so much one individual can do. I cannot speak directly on how much has been done by the organizer to date because I am not the title holder but I do know that certain companies have already said no when approached to assist Miss Bermuda; so what do you do then?
Jana is blessed to have friends and family who are willing to sacrifice and stand by her to help get her to Miss World in proper fashion however, it is still not enough. Whether you agree with her fundraising efforts or not, the country now needs to stand behind her and help in whatever manner possible to ensure that she will be able to represent Bermuda in the best light come when she leaves for London right up until the final contest on November 6.
It is my hope that her efforts will drum up much needed attention so that government and the corporate world realize just how much is needed (which really they already know because its not as if we’ve never had a Miss Bermuda before who competed overseas [sarcastic face]…) to ensure she has a fair chance at overseas competition.
It would definitely be something if she brought back the crown from Miss World in November after little to no support from her country and then the government and all the companies wanted to get in on her success…
If you are able, please make a donation today to the HSBC account #003 036 365 012 set up to support Miss Jana Lynn Outerbridge, our Miss Bermuda 2011. I am doing all that I can to support my friend and truly believe in her ability to represent Bermuda well. Love you girl!
This is a sad day for Bermuda. Where is everyone who should be supporting Miss Bermuda? Where are the people that ran the Miss Bermuda pageant? have they did anything? Where is the Government in which she will be going abroard to represent? Are you telling me that we are really that unsupportive as a country that even third world countries and our comparative Caribbean Countries are doing better than us. They are fully funded and are dressed in couture while Miss Bermuda is asking for the bare minimal. It is a shame and I lower my head in knowing that this is true. We have a strong dedicated Miss Bermuda and I will be sending money and supporting her as I know she will do our country proud.
no its a sad day for the organization that was suppose to fund this… Bermuda had nothing to do with this. If they knew they could not afford it that it should have been stopped instead people want to throw this on Bermudians one month before she is due to get on a plane… ahhh no! Sad day for you but dont bring all of Bermuda in this…
By the way if anyone wants to donate funds a charitable account has been set up at Bank of Bermuda Account no 003036365012 in which proceeds will go to aid in her journey and she stated that any money not used will be donated to Windreach.
How embarassing! I’m sure the the contestants are glad they didn’t win now!!
So she has like 2 months to raise the funds needed?? Pathetic, poorly organised!!!
Hopefully it works out though – good luck to her!!!!!
If anyone should be embarrassed it’s our Govt, local businesses sponsors who didn’t come thru when they said they would. Most pageants unless run by Donald Trump rely on sponsorship, donations etc. There is nothing “pathetic” about asking for help from your own community, if you don’t ask you don’t get, right!
A big shout out to the people who have stepped up and donated to the cause instead of hating on the sidelines.
NOOOOOOOOOOO! they did not promise this organization a thing! You think Govt and local biz want to now drop what they have going on to fund something one month away. Thats not good biz sense! No one is hating on this child, but it is not peoples obligation to pick up the slack less then one month before the event. Plus what is the organization doing? Have they come out and pleaded with Bermuda when they knew they could not afford it? Nope they sent a 22 year old girl dressed in rags to do their dirty work.
She actually has less than a month to raise funds as she will be leaving the island on October 18…there are a plethora of preliminary events and workshops the ladies will participate in before the actual contest on November 6.
one month
Miss Bermuda is not Miss Tourism – so the Department of Tourism does not have to give her anything. If she was a Miss Tourism – of course they would cover it as she would have been selected by the Departments internal panel as their representative of Bermuda. Don’t confuse the two. But that is very unfortunate – the sponsorship should have been lined up prior to taking on the task. I don’t knock the organizers for their hard work, but still that’s not a shortcoming that should have been public knowledge. This is the first time that I’ve heard of a Miss Bermuda doing fundraising. I would feel cheated if I was her – let’s just hope this dosen’t make it to international news because Bermuda would be looked down on at the competition. Considering we are viewed as one of the weatlhy places in the world. That’s just sad.
Maybe making it in the international news would not be such a bad thing after all because if you look at the just crowned Miss Universe she did not come from a rich country (Angola), but she did her part to make it to the world stage and won the crown.
Maybe Jana fund raising efforts would not be such a ‘slight’ after all, but would show that “even when the odds were stacked against her, she did not call it quit and cast blame or point fingers. She remained gracious, smiling and grab the opportunity to be creative” and that is what I think will stand out more on the World Stage.
@ Mars: You really hit the nail on the head!
Yes definitely – it is commandable what Jana is doing despite the situation
sorry have to disagree. This was poor planning and it should be a legal issue. I am sure a contract of some sort was signed by both parties and I am sure it did not have that she had to find the money herself. I am sure being 22 she probably did not read the contract nor did she have anyone else to read it. Now she is having to beg for money for her and the organizations inability to cross their t’s and dot their i’s. Im not sure if you guys understand that it is going to take upwards of 15,000 to 20,000 to fund this trip. She is in London for three weeks and this event requires growns that cost 2 and 3 thousand dollars each, fittings, alterations, etc. I believe she needs six growns, not to mention shoes, and accessories. She will need to eat for three week and hello practice. She has spent most of her days stressed out and trying to figure out how to raise money for something she was not made aware of. It is less than one month away. She leaves Oct 18. I dont blame Govt, corp spon, or anyone because these entities did not promise nothing to Miss Bermuda’s Organization. Matter fact they said no from the beginning yet the organization continue to plan to send this young lady to another country with no money. Have we factored in emergencies, insurance just in case something happens to her, who is going with her b/c as far as I know the answer is no one right now, other than her parent who are coming up for the actual event. I am sure the other girls will have their coaches etc with them to ensure hair, make-up, management of the clothes are done etc. sorry just dont agree with you guys with this one. I say take the money she has raised put it in an account and send her next year when she can do it the right way…
How come the third world countries have been representing in all the world pageants without doing this? Just wondering.
Because their countries provide the funds…they make it happen because they deem these competitions important and a positive avenue to promote their countries…just saying
well said… lol
The “organizers” of Miss Bermuda Pageant should have had this all in order and if they were unable to handle such a challenge then not followed through with the Miss Bermuda Pageant until they could, but some people are so quick to want to make a name for themselves that they forget about the whole picture.
When Terry held Miss. Teen or Miss. Bermuda Pageants and the winners had to travel aboard for the compeitions and reperesent our island I do not recall him asking(begging)especially in this manner for funding.
Next time I hope the “organizers” are organized because this is a JOKE.
Jana continue to Shine, I wish you all the BEST. I would be in contact with you to make a donation as the situation is beyond your control.
I wonder if the organizers were out assisting Miss Bermuda with fundraising hmmmm.
So why don’t you go and organize one then? No wonder we didn’t have Miss Bermuda for so many years if this is the type of bulls&t reaction efforts get.
And this is the reason the organizers should have not had one this year. As you noted Bermuda has not had a Miss Bermuda Pageant for many years and now that we do, you think it is right for the responsibility of raising funds to fall on the WINNER? I think NOT as the money should have been there from JUMP for all the grooming (ie intensive interviewing, walking etc) here in Bermuda and abroad. If the organizers assesed the economic climate of our island and the unwillingness of corporate sponsership (which should have raised red flags) they should not have proceeded with the Pageant. No way in HELL should Miss. Bermuda be out there begging for funding this should have already been done by the organizers before the Pageant was even advertised.
Terry has never done Miss Bermuda
Let’s be honest “Purple”, some critics would say that the “pageants” that Terry has produced are a JOKE. I’ve been to most of his shows and you really can’t compare the two. The Miss Bermuda Pageant that was held in June was one of best locally produced shows this island has ever had. And if you were paying attention to any previous released interviews/stories you would know that it wasn’t brought back after 15 years simply so that Milika could make a “name” for herself.
She brought this pageant back from the dead because she believed that the young woman on this island were every bit as capable as those from other countries to sucessfully compete at an international level. She saw a need for a positive program such as this and made it happen with little to no help from local sponsors. It wasn’t just about having a show it was an entire programm designed to groom the contestants that signed up and give them the opportunity to represent their country not only locally but internationaly as well.
It would have been impossible to fortell that certain sponsorships, funding would fall thru in the end but even in the face of these challeges Milka has continued to support Jana in ALL areas. This has been an ongoing project for the past year and would have been executed whether this “Rag” fundraising event had taken place or not. With that being said Jana has showed tremendous initiative in raising public awarness that community support is needed.
And for the record “Purple” The Miss Bermuda organization was out in full force yesterday on Reid Street(baking in the hot sun I might add) supporting Jana like they do with ALL her events. Your donation to Jana is very much appreciated, try to have a little less hater-aid and more actual facts in your comments next time.
no they where not… that would be the right thing to do.
I went to the show, it was rather disorganize. Felt they were WAY behind schedule. The MC’s were just talking nonsence past a certain point just to distract the crowd (Yes my group picked up on it!) wasting a whole bunch of time not too sure why…. Sadly I have seen high school talent shows produced better. Hopefully next year they will have a bigger team / enlist an event planning company & sponsors. But that’s all behind us!
I wonder …What was Jana’s prize? The Cubic zirconia crown that she has to return? + strut her stuff in a garbage bag / newspaper outfit to raise money!??
I think her raising money could have been done in a classy way and right now it is looking very GHETTO. Does not ooze class at all.. And not representing a positive role model ” if you need money work the streets” not a good concept at all!
In regards to corporate sponsorship I do not understand why people EXPECT business’ to fork up the money/ items for her experience in London. Yes she is representing Bermuda, but she would also representing the brand FIRST. Each company has the right to choose and refuse if they think she would not represent their Brand in the way they want. Some corporations would also see it as a waste of money If you have watched a Miss World before you will know what I mean.
I know all of the Pro Miss Bermuda organizers/ friends and family will rip into this comment but it’s called freedom of speech and it is also a reality check!
Welcome to the Big league!!! Go BIG or go HOME/ Stay HOME!
LOL, you don’t get tired “global citizen”? I remember you from you’re negative comments throughout the year (and your hidious picture). When the contestants were first announced you were on Bernews saying that none of them (with the exception on one, who didn’t “look black”) were pageant material and proceeded to rip them all to shreads. You clearly have issues….
!!
It’s nice that you’ve taken such a personal interest in the pageant and it’s reigning queen though. Is it safe to assume that you’ll be buying another patron ticket next year? It’s bound to be another sold out event, so make sure you get your ticket early,that way you can be right up front to watch Jana pass the “cubic zirconia” crown to the next Miss Bermuda. See you next year
Bermuda is truly another world and by now if people don’t understand its all about who you know! Jana go speak to your Premier and lets see what support you get from her!
Read it for yourself the person who is named as directing the Pageant has 10 years of planning experience (I wonder what she has planned) and claims to be a former beauty queen (I wonder if she had to beg for funding during this Pageant). From the website there appear to be many sponsers but at the end of the day it all depends how much they gave and how much was spent on the Pageant. http://www.missbermuda.bm
I totally agree Miss Bermuda organizers WELCOME TO THE BIG LEAGUE!
Never heard of shreds of newspaper before. In the UK recycled rags (clothing, material etc) are used for cleaning and all sorts of other things!
Well maybe ths doesn’t help with getting sponsors.
http://www.missosology.info/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=104823
So what is her fund raising goal?
The former Miss Bermuda pageant organizers should have been contacted for guidance, as well as the former franchise owner. They would have been able to advise how to go about obtaining the necessary sponsorship, etc. that would have been needed. And yes it’s about who you know and are affiliated with. I’m surprised that a Miss Tourism was not selected from this group – considering the last one was 10 yrs ago now.