Meet Miss Pembroke: Lady Carmela Robinson

In the seventh of a series of profiles of contestants, Bernews today spotlights Lady Carmela Robinson, who is representing Pembroke in the Miss Bermuda Pageant, which will be held on July 6, 2014.

Miss Robinson currently attends the Berkeley Institute and will be graduating on June 27, 2014. Following graduation, she will be attending Temple University in the fall in order to study Insurance and Risk Management. She also works as a part-time hostess at Flanagan’s Restaurant and will be a summer student at Validus Re.

When asked why she decided to enter the Miss Bermuda pageant, Miss Robinson said, “My inspiration to join Miss Bermuda manifested from my own curiosity. Growing up, I was never fond of pageantry as, for me, it portrayed “fake beauty,” with beauty queens that pile on makeup and depict a false image to young ladies.

“However, I started to research the Miss Bermuda pageant last year and my whole perspective on pageantry changed. In the Miss Bermuda competition, each candidate is a unique individual and is treated accordingly. We are not just a number – we are actually starting to become a family.”

When asked what has been the most enjoyable part of the process so far, Miss Robinson said, “The most enjoyable part of the process has been being able to go to Harbour Nights and interact with tourists and locals. I enjoy talking to people, learning about their stories, and even teaching them a little bit about our island home.”

When asked if she was nervous or excited to get on stage for the pageant, Miss Robinson said, “A mix of both, but mostly excited since we’ve been preparing for this for months now and I feel that the night will pass very quickly.”

When asked who has helped her the most to achieve this success along the way, Miss Robinson said, “A lot of people have helped me achieve this success along the way. My mother has been a great motivational help. I have also gained knowledge from my etiquette coach. Flanagan’s has also helped me immensely in this process with sponsorship, and they have also motivated me.”

When asked, should she win, what she planned to do with the exposure that being Miss Bermuda will give her, Miss Robinson said, “The reason I would like to be crowned Miss Bermuda is because Miss Bermuda is a young woman that has the ability to reach out to people and to change their lives. I want to be able to inspire people and spread love throughout our country.”

“I have learned that, regardless of colour, race, religion, sex, ethnicity, and whatever differences we may have, in the good Lord’s eyes we are all considered as one big family. There are two significant factors that I have learned and instilled in my heart: I have to help those people who are in need, and I have to show young women that they have a voice.

“At the age of 15, I went to the Philippines for a cultural and educational immersion program. I witnessed extreme poverty where children did not have shoes on their feet and the entire village had only one source of water. In that moment, I had an epiphany that I could radiate my positivity there.

“I applied the leadership skills I gained from Bermuda and established a teaching and feeding program to help teach children English, reading, writing, and math. Together with my Student Council, where I was Vice-President at the time, we also helped to provide a small food ration every time we visited.

“In addition, the most significant thing that I did was empower the young men and women in that area by making them realize that education is the key to success. I was able to do so by fundraising a scholarship that enabled 10 young men and women to achieve a high school education.”

Video courtesy of Channel 82

When asked, win or lose, what’s next for her after the pageant, Miss Robinson said, “Win or lose, I will still continue my strong philanthropist attitude and reach out to those who are in need. If I were to lose the competition, I will start a new chapter of my life at university. If I were to win the competition, I would prepare for Miss World to the best of my ability. It has been 35 years since a Bermudian has been crowned Miss World and I strongly believe that it is time to bring the glorious crown back to our pink sandy shores.”

When asked if there was anything else that she’d like to add, Miss Robinson said, “Miss Bermuda has been a very exciting and interesting process thus far. From photo shoots, workshops, exercising daily, and practicing your walk – the experience has been astounding. You meet so many different people that can be a great influence in your life. The process has been thrilling and a once in a lifetime experience.”

The 2014 Miss Bermuda Pageant is scheduled to take place on July 6 at the Fairmont Southampton, where reigning queen Katherine Arnfield will crown her successor. Tickets for the event are available at Pulp & Circumstance at Washington Mall, Fabulous Fashions at Heron Bay Plaza, and online at bdatix.bm.

Photographer: Donovin Seymour
Hair: Impressions
Makeup: O’faces

#BermudianModels #MissBermudaPageant

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