tackle during her reign as Miss Teen Bermuda.

On Sunday night at City Hall, Miss Medeiros became the third Miss Teen Bermuda and she hopes to use the title to educate teens about racism and the need to be educated.

"I was in a contest which had a predominantly black audience and contestants, but it was not the colour of my skin they were worried about,'' she told The Royal Gazette yesterday.

"Blacks and whites mingle together. People don't realise how great we do get along.'' She added: "If I am given the chance I would love to talk about racism in Bermuda because it is something that really bothers me.

"It's not just a problem going on, it's something I feel.'' Miss Medeiros said she wanted to stand as a positive role model and encourage the youth of Bermuda not to give up on their dreams.

"I hope to have a fun year as Miss Teen and have many different experiences.

I want it to be a year that I will remember forever.'' When asked what she thinks enabled her to win the crown Miss Medeiros said: "It was definitely the question and answer period and all the praying I did backstage.

"When I opened my mouth the answers just came out. It was from within me and I said what I was feeling. I'm glad my thoughts were so organised.

"My best answers were the last two that concerned racism and Independence.

But after the question concerning Independence I knew I was up there and that I would get something out of the pageant.'' She added that she did not expect to win, and entered that pageant to try something different.

"One of my friends entered last year and she inspired me to do it. My friend Stephanie Thompson and I decided to do the pageant together so we could be there for each other.'' Miss Medeiros added her other aim for the year was to make teens realise that education is important.

"Even though I have won the Miss Teen title I will be going away in August to study business at Acadia University in Nova Scotia.

"I can't live off Miss Teen Bermuda, I need to get my education so when I return I can be successful.

"When I'm in school I will be a regular college student but I also want people to know I am representing my country.'' She added: "I have a lot of confidence, not the kind that makes me arrogant but the kind that shows that I have self-respect.'' When asked what she thought her year would consist of Miss Medeiros said she had a lot of faith in Super Teen Productions who organise the event.

"I have no doubt that they won't let me down as far as getting me out in the community. They told me they wanted me to be a community role model for teens.

"They are professional people and well organised.'' Miss Medeiros's mother Mrs. Helen Medeiros said of her daughter's win: "I am very proud because I believe she won because of her strong convictions about things like racism.

"I also think it was because of her being able to stand up and speak about things which she believes.'' When her Miss Teen Bermuda reign is over next year Miss Medeiros wants people to say, "She was a good Miss Teen Bermuda and represented her country well.'' READY TO WORK -- Miss Teen Bermuda Jennifer Medeiros plans to talk with Bermuda's teens about racism and the importance of education during her reign.