Fashion model Lillian Lightbourn can now officially call herself Miss Bermuda 2014.

The 24-year-old beauty, who represented Sandys in the two hour pageant at the Fairmont Southampton Princess, said she “felt amazing” to be selected as an ambassador for Bermuda.

“Words cannot explain how I feel,” she told The Royal Gazette last night. “I’m grateful to God and pageant organiser Milika Trott-Seymour for being so patient with me, for everyone that was involved and all the other contestants for helping support me.

“It was an amazing experience.”

Miss Lightbourn, who stunned in a champagne coloured gown, has enjoyed an impressive modelling career in New York since graduating from high school in Bermuda. She was even selected as the face for a Sephora ad campaign in the US.

She attributed her faith in God to what led her to sign up for the Miss Bermuda Pageant. And in an earlier interview explained that it was after a life-changing trip to South Africa, when she realised she could use the pageant as a platform to show God’s love to others.

In addition to the crown, she won the titles of People’s Choice Award, and Miss Photogenic.

Local entertainer Cami Bean-Caines won the title of Miss Hospitality; while Warwick Academy student Cocy-Lynne Simmons took home the award for Miss Congeniality.

Premier Michael Dunkley, who attended the ceremony with the Minister of Public Works, Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, MP Nandi Outerbridge and Senator Jeffrey Baron — who was a judge — said he was pleased to be able to witness such “great talent and poise” not just from Ms Lightbourn, but from all eight contestants who participated in this evening’s event.

“I want to congratulate Ms Lightbourn for her achievement in being crowned Miss Bermuda. Each of these young women demonstrated such strength and poise during some high pressure moments tonight and they should feel very proud of their performance,” the Premier said.

“The judges had a very difficult decision this evening, and I was very impressed with Lillian’s overall performance. I am certain that she will go on to represent Bermuda with the same grace and professionalism that she demonstrated this evening, and I want to encourage all of Bermuda to support her in going forward.

“I also want to take this opportunity to commend the organisers of the Miss Bermuda Pageant, particularly Milika Trott-Seymour for putting on such a first class event which showcased some of Bermuda’s bright, young, wonderful talent.”