Meet Miss Devonshire West: Kalvilicia Joell
In the first of a series of profiles of contestants, Bernews today spotlights 23-year-old Kalvilicia Joell who is representing Devonshire West in the upcoming Miss Bermuda Pageant.
Combining beauty, athleticism and a hands-on work ethic, Ms Joell has modelled locally, won boxing matches, is a Certified Appliance Technician and has many trade skills which she plans to further by studying plumbing at the Bermuda College.
A graduate of the Berkeley Institute, she currently works at Bermuda Gas & Utility as a Customer Care Representative.
She began training as an amateur boxer at the age of 14, won her first match at the age of 18 and went on to won division championship. Ms Joell plans to get back into boxing — and maybe also martial arts – later this year, saying it’s one of her passions and helps her to keep stay balanced.
She started modelling when she was 19, appearing in a number of local fashion shows, and hopes to further her cat-walk dreams in the future. Ms Joell is currently working on assembling a portfolio.
One of four children, Ms Joell describes her mother Queenae Joell as her rock, saying she “can always depend on her to give me that extra push that I need, if at any time, there was doubt. She has taught me to be a very well rounded individual, and I don’t thank her enough for that.”
The most unusual thing about her, she says, is the fact she is so often mistakenly pegged for a “girly girl” when the complete opposite holds true.
“I am a ‘tom-boy’ at heart,” says Ms Joell. ”I’m a Certified Appliance Technician, and I have many trade skills, others would never think I have. Weekends, I’m kept very busy helping my mom, with the rebuilding of her house. It’s everything from tiling floors, plastering to putting in ceiling fans, whatever she needs to get it done. Mainly, because she knows I can do it and willing to give her a hand. I plan to study plumbing at the Bermuda College some time soon.”
At the age of five, she was hit by a drunk driver in Somerset, and her injuries caused her to miss months of school.
” I was taught at home, and given many assignments, so I didn’t have to repeat the school year,” she says. “It was hard on my family as well; I didn’t know who they were for awhile, due to loss of memory.
“From that experience, I’m very proud of myself because I pulled through something so traumatic, which could’ve taken my life. Left with a scar on my face, to which I consider a beauty mark, and it individualizes me. It reminds me every day of how strong and how much of a survivor I am.”
Miss Joell says: “If I win the Miss Bermuda Pageant, the message I would like to send out to the wider Bermuda community, it would be for us to encourage the youths to go outside of the box, to go outside of their selves to reach an inner greatness, and inner achievements. To make youth feel proud of the little things they do, and make them feel appreciated in every and anything they do.
“I really feel that encouragement goes a long way. It definitely builds self confidence and self worth, something that the younger community needs right now.”
“I’d like to encourage young females to take on the experience of the Miss Bermuda Pageant, if held next year,” she says. “It is taking a very positive step in your life to better yourself. You meet many people, beautiful females from many walks of life. Many have similarities, but no one is the same. There is a reason why you stand out in a crowd.
“Over a short period of time, I’ve seen change within myself, another step to becoming a more positive person. Staying true to yourself and knowing who you are. And having taken this opportunity, I’ve met some young ladies that I feel I can further my friendship with, even after the pageant, something I thought I’d never admit to.
“Thankfully, I’m having fun and learning everything possible that will prepare me not only for the Miss Bermuda Pageant, but further endeavors in life.”
16 young ladies will compete for the title of Miss Bermuda on June 12th at the Fairmont Southampton. Tickets, which range from $65 to $125, are available here on Bdatix.bm.
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You go girl. I have nothing but respect for versitle, multi talanted women. Plumber and beauty queen, now that would be cool.
Honey, First, take the damn tongue piercing out. This is not adult video awards. Never the less, good luck.
@ United
And what exactly does her tongue ring have to do with anything? I wish people would get over piercings and tattoos – because they were inappropriate in your day and age, doesn’t make them inappropriate today. Neither a piercing nor tattoo changes how intellectual a person is. I have a nose piercing, my belly button pierce, two piercings in each ear and a tattoo; I plan on getting more too. I also work for one of Bermuda’s leading insurance companies; my clients love me, my bosses and colleagues love me and I love them all in return. I was hired with everything I mentioned I have as well. Neither my piercings nor tattoo affects my ability to perform at or above the standards required by my company or to be a respectable citizen in any society.
As I said before – GO KAY KAY GIRL!!! (And WORK that tongue ring!! lol)
AND WHY WOULD YOU EVEN MENTION A PIERCING CAUSE IN THIS PIC YOU CAN’T SEE IT. NOBODY WOULDN’T EVEN HAVE KNOWN UNTIL YA COMMENT…..GO FIND A HOBBY BOO!
WTH, I know you can’t see it in the picture. What the hell is wrong with you lot? The girl is going to be JUDGED by her comportment and answers ans YES on her beauty. I do not think that answering a question with a tongue piercing will further her goal of winning.Hey, to each his own. I just pointed out a fact of pageant hsitory. Take the damn thing off, compete and then put the thing back in. Case closed. Man you people are so close minded. YES, I said that.
Go Kay Kay!
Go Kay Kay girl!!!
You are a very beautiful young lady, I wish you all the best, It would be remiss of me not to say anything about the tongue ring. Whilst it may be cool or fun in the general world, you are trying to represent Bermuda. Please take out the tongue ring, it is distracting, and unprofessional.
I want nothing but the best for you. Again God’s speed.
PS is there not style coaches and mentors that can assist these ladies in what should be expected?
That was said a little more succinctly than I said but that is what I meant to say.
I also have my tongue pierced and have tattoos so plese do not think I am “being a hater”, instead I am just providing some advice. There is a time and place for everything and removing the tongue ring and if possible covering the tattoo would be fitting for events leading up to the pageant and of course the pageant itself. If we use international pageant standards as a guide one would not see contestants wearing tongue rings nor display tattoos and if you should win the title of Miss Bermuda this is the playing field you would be faced with. Wishing you all the best!
United ya a hater! Kay kay ya lookin juicy boo! Good luck
Because I did not like the idea of her piercing I am a hater. As I said in my post she looks smoking hot in the picture but when she talks the tongue piercing is distracting. So now she goes to the international competition and first thing that disqualifies her is the piercing. That would be a hateful thing? You people throw the word hate and hater out there like it has no meaning anymore. Too bad to. Because now when someone disagrees with me and my opinions instead of debating, all I have to do is say you’re a bigoted hater and end of story but I know you probably are not a hater but just don’t know how to debate on merit.
United is not a hater…if you look at all the other beauty pagents in the world the contestants do not sport piercings (other than earrings) and tattoos. If we want to be classy and encourage our ladies to represent us at an international level we need to keep those standards PERIOD!!! I wish Ms Joel the best, but encourage all contestants to challenge themselves and learn from those in that paved the way in the pageant industry the norms. We do it in everything else!
@ Relevancy
That is how those women in those pagents chose to look and this is how she chooses to look – doesnt mean that she’s any less capable of accomplishing the things that they have/will. Stop judging a book by its cover, that is what’s wrong with society today.
Myheart, the sole purpose of a BEAUTY contest is JUDGEMENT! See, that’s what’s wrong with your way of thinking. No the contest HAS to conform to the contestant no ifs ands or buts. How can you have and intelligent debate with dumb people? Good Lord!
United – her tattoo and piercing doesn’t take away from her beauty or intellect so please, please tell me why some of you are soooo against her having them? Because it isn’t pleasing to your eyes? Oh well get over it.
When I started all of this all I said was to take the piercing out. The tattoo actually is appealing to me. I did not say anything about the tat. The contestant does not have to look pleasant to my eyes. I already said, and I’ll repeat she is one SMOKING HOT lady! But she will NOT get very far if they ask a question and when she answers in the slurred sound that is produced because of the piercing she will lose points. But this is the last I’ll say about this whole thing because if you look at all the posts on this wire it has all taken away from the young lady who really is beautiful.
So this is the mentality of young Bermuda!! ??? This girl is very pretty but the last time I checked I did not see anyone with tattoos and body piercings in the Miss Universe Pageant! Ladies please tattoos that are shown all over your body are classless and distasteful! Nothing wrong with having them but not if you plan on representing your country!
@ Toya
“Ladies please tattoos that are shown all over your body are classless and distasteful!” Your opinion, and that’s all it is. My opninon? There is nothing wrong with having them period, no matter what you decide to do in your life.
I find it interesting that in a beauty contest someone is saying dont judge a book by it cover. I find it quite scary that in Bermuda, we believe that it is ok, to have a tongue peircing and represent OUR country. Go and look at any reputable contest and you will not see anyone with peircings other than earrings. I dont have a problem with piercings however for the same reason you have can not have any children, or you must be under a certain age or you dont have 300 pound men in the contest……..there are rules……well, there are other rules that we expect you to have been taught at home……..having a peircing or visible tatoos is not the classy example we want to represent our country…….. I am tired of us dumbing down everything so that everyone can do as they please……..the contest organizers need to be clear, they have an historical standard that must be maintained…and they must exstablish protocals that make this a classy affair.
I said don’t judge a book by it’s cover because her tattoo nor tongue peircing affects her beauty, nor should it cause people to think that she doesn’t repsect herself. A beauty pagent isn’t just about how a person looks, it’s also about how the individual talks and carries themselves – neither a peircing or tattoo defines this, a person’s personalitly does. And look at her! Is that tattoo damaging her image? I think not, and the officials that are running this contest realize that – this is why they are the officials/judges and you aren’t.
And no one’s dumbing anything down – its call liberty.
@ MyHeartHurts, If the piercing or tattoo doesn’t effect her beauty then why did she get them in the first place? I’m sure it’s because she thought they look cool and are beautiful in her eyes… But the point of the matter is that in a beauty contest its about natural beauty and how one conducts them self. After all the contestants will have a question and answering period to which her piercing and tattoo might be asked about. And I hope her answers will be legit apart from she thought they looked cool at the time… Um just saying…
@ good luck I completely agree with you. she s a very attractive girl, but if you are trying to represent Bermuda and yourself as a beauty queen you must look a little more classy and lady like. I am not judging in any way I just believe first impression is key. If you are trying to compete with other young ladies to be miss Bermuda you must stand out in a self respecting way. People will judge you on your appearance, personality and how your carry yourself. Good Luck!
“If you are trying to compete with other young ladies to be miss Bermuda you must stand out in a self respecting way.”
So because she has a tongue peircing and tattoo, she isn’t standing out in a self respecting way? Are you saying that people who have tattoos and peircings don’t respect themselves? If so, I take great offense to that.
That is probably why you will NEVER be asked to be a judge in this sort of pageant. And oh, I am glad that you’re offended.
No this is why you wil NEVER be asked to judge in this sort of pageant. If the officals and judges had an issue with her having a tattoo or piercing they wouldn’t have allowed her to compete in the first place. Think about it…
Oh yeah and furthur more, you go ahead and be glad im offended. I just hope that your not in charge of hiring people – if you can discriminate because of a tattoo, I would never want to work for you. Like I said before, I was hired with my tattoos and peircings and they do not affect my ablilty to perform at or above the standards that my company requires of me – they do not affect the relationship I have with my co-workers, bosses and CLIENTS (you know the people who are the reason a company makes any profit in the first place) nor do they affect my position in society as a young, respectable, educated, successful, wife, mother and Christian.
All I am saying, in this type of contest you CANNOT have those sorts of things. Are you kidding me, I am not against tattoos or piercings. I merely mentioned the fact that as a contestant there is protocol. As far as hiring someone with those things I frankly don’t give a damn if any employee has them. I think that they are sexy. Some of them are. Come down off of your high horse and look at the situation that is presented to you.
Ok this is my point – if she cannot have peircings or tattoos in the pageant, then WHY WHY WHY was she allowed to become a contestant?!?!?!
You, madam are dumber than a box of rocks!
united, do not waste your breath on dumb people lol, waste of time.
I can’t help it. I just love to egg people on. It’s a lot of fun.
are you running for miss Bermuda too? I am talking about a young lady trying to represent Bermuda as miss Bermuda. If you look at any other countries you will NEVER see them wearing a tongue ring or showing tattoos. She might win for Bermuda (because the mentality nowadays) but i am sorry to say BERMUDA is as far as she will go.
WOW! The mentality of some of these responders is very small! When my family from the US visited Bermuda, my male cousin asked if every young black Bermudian woman had tattoos. Nothing wrong with having them but when they are all over your body it’s not classy in my opinion! I don’t see women holding positions in high places with tattoos all over them. Do You? Oprah, The First Lady, The Premier..etc… No You don’t and you never will! It’s called CLASS!!!!!!!!
On another note! Most pageant contestants on an international level have to be college educated. Is that not the case for Bermuda Pageant? Not that being college educated makes you any better than anyone else, but they are suppose to be ROLE MODELS! Correct me if I’m wrong.
I don’t see college as a requisite but I do think that conducting yourself as a young woman stylishly and classy a plus.As you had said it doesn’t make you much different. I do however, think that just because someone goes to college they are in no way smarter than someone that does not. And being from the U.S. you know there are some real idiots that are attending college just to party. As far as tattoos, I do find smaller ones in strategic areas to be very sexy, but they do not lend themselves to beauty pageants.
And my point again – while I appreciate your opinion – that is all it is, your opinion. Just because you do not find them classy doesn’t mean that the next person does not either. KWIM?
And this is ALL this is your opinion.
I agree that huge tattoo and piercing is tacky. I don’t care what her support team on here says. This is why Bermuda can never excel on an international level, always sub-par at everything.
The organizers of this event should have been very clear regarding the criteria of the types of young women entering the contest and on representing Bermuda overseas.
Highly visible tatoos are NOT acceptable for an international contest of the magnitude of Miss World or Miss Universe!
Although, this young lady is pretty and she has the right to enter the contest, but she will not be selected as Miss Bermuda to represent us overseas. That is a given.
These are the strong contenders in my opinion:
Miss Devonshire East
Miss Hamilton Parish South
Miss Warwick East
Miss Smiths East
Miss Pembroke Central
This is what the International judges are looking for….
Good Luck ladies!!
I agree totally with WOW regarding the tattoo and especially the piercing. Piercings have absolutely no place here. I cannot believe the organizers did not state this beforehand. Anything goes in Bermuda today, but not on the world stage. The young lady is beautiful. The piercing should be removed to give her a better chance at winning.