Eager to get to know the young beauties vying for the Miss Bermuda 2012 title? Well you’re in luck.In the first of a two part feature we chat to four of the eight contestants looking to strut their stuff in the upcoming competition. You can get to know the remaining four contestants in tomorrow’s Royal Gazette.Get to know all eight girls and then come prepared to lend your support to your favourite contestant on July 8 at the Fairmont Southampton Princess. Event tickets, $65 to $105, are currently on sale at www.bdatix.bm.Rochelle Minors — Miss SandysWhy did you decide to enter the Miss Bermuda Pageant 2012?I want to play a part in writing Bermuda’s history by doing well in representing Bermuda internationally in the Miss World Pageant. Living in London, I am an ambassador for Bermuda everyday and always promote our Island. I am very proud and passionate about my country. It is said that our Island community is in a time of conflict with the rise of gang violence, lack of respect for others, and financial instability with the recession. By becoming Miss Bermuda and entering The Miss World we can put these problems aside and bring our community together for one night to support their own. I have also entered this competition to boost my confidence in public speaking and to develop leadership skills so that I can be an excellent role model for women. I would like to encourage others to step outside their comfort zone and try something new which can be very beneficial to their well being.What do you think is your best attribute — be it your smile, style or sense of humour?I believe that I have strengths in all three of these attributes, however I believe my style is my best attribute even though I love to smile and laugh. Without opening your mouth, your appearance describes who you are and is the first impression given when encountering someone new. It expresses your individuality and personality.What is your professional background? Do you have a college degree?I have received an Associate Degree in Art and Design at The Bermuda College with distinction, a Foundation Diploma with Merit in Fashion Design at West London College and I am currently enrolled in a BA Honours in Fashion Design Course at the University For the Creative Arts in Rochester, England.What has been the most challenging/ rewarding part of the pageant process so far?The most challenging part of the pageant process has been tuning into the mindset of becoming a beauty queen contestant and putting my modelling experience to the side. I’ve been in the industry for eight years and so I’ve been trained to walk, pose, and present myself in a certain way. Although I’ve found it very challenging to start over and learn things from a new perspective, I’ve grown and further developed myself. The most rewarding part of the pageant has been developing relationships and making new friends, and participating in all the events throughout the pageant. They have been such enjoyable moments.What are your hobbies? Do you have any interesting skills or talents?In my spare time I enjoy designing and making clothes, shopping for inspiration, making jewellery, socialising, reading, exercising and playing with my violin or keyboard. I’ve been a musician since the age of 7 and I love music however fashion and the arts are my first love.Why do you deserve to be Miss Bermuda 2012?It would be an esteemed honour to become Miss Bermuda and be able to participate in such a world renowned event. It has always been a dream of mine to one day become like the beautiful, elegant, poised and bold women on stage who represented their country so proudly as I watched on TV as a child. I admire these women and strive daily to possess the virtues that they hold. I am hardworking, diligent, optimistic and enthusiastic towards future opportunities and will uphold the Miss Bermuda title to the best of my ability. I have a heart for our people and I want to serve Bermuda by make a significant difference in our Island’s community.Shannon Ingram — Miss St George’sWhy did you decide to enter the Miss Bermuda Pageant 2012?I decided to enter the Miss Bermuda pageant because I wanted to make a difference. I also felt this was wonderful way to represent myself and my parish in a positive manner [and] to meet like minded young women.What do you think is your best attribute — be it your smile, style or sense of humour?I believe my best attribute is my fearlessness and willingness to learn and meet new challenges.What is your professional background? Do you have a college degree?I have recently obtained my GED on June 16th and have plans to pursue a pre law [degree] in the fall.What has been the most challenging/ rewarding part of the pageant process so far?I believe the most challenging thing will be [trying] to appeal to an audience of all ages since I’m so young. The most rewarding part of this competition is knowing when I leave, whether Miss Bermuda or not, that I will have made an impact on my community and a positive influence on my peers. To see the excitement in their faces when they view such young women of substance ensures me that we are making a difference.What are your hobbies? Do you have any interesting skills or talents?In my free time I volunteer at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital in the continuing care unit with the elderly. I have great respect for Bermuda’s senior citizens; they are the heart and soul of our country. Outside of volunteering I love to read and have a deep passion for poetry. I also love spear fishing and golf. I feel golf is a ladies game and I play it well. I also enjoy ballet, gymnastics, volleyball, theatrical drama (acting), and track and field.Why do you deserve to be Miss Bermuda 2012?I believe I should be Miss Bermuda 2012 because I am a strong young woman who is kind hearted, strives to be well educated and willing to represent our country. I am a woman of substance with a strong knowledge of bermudas culture, political views, and social interests therefore, I believe I posses all of the attributes to be Miss Bermuda 2012.Crystal Lyn — Miss SouthamptonWhy did you decide to enter the Miss Bermuda Pageant 2012?I am compassionate about helping others. I joined Miss Bermuda in hopes of being a part of an organisation that helps in the community. My motto is “inspire someone.” — I will inspire people to believe in themselves and exceed greatness. Miss Bermuda is positive, intelligent, and beautiful with a purpose, but most importantly with a heart.What do you think is your best attribute — be it your smile, style or sense of humour?My best attribute is personal appearance. I am very versatile and I love to be confident and comfortable.What is your professional background? Do you have a college degree?Currently I am finishing up my Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design and Marketing at American InterContinental University. In addition, I work at Attride-Stirling & Woloniecki Law as an Executive Assistant to the Managing Partner.What has been the most challenging/ rewarding part of the pageant process so far?Thus far, I’ve enjoyed learning the dance for the final night. Our practice sessions allow for us women to loosen up, laugh, and just be ourselves; which I find some to be quite humorous.What are your hobbies? Do you have any interesting skills or talents?I love to bake, travel, and paint … an interesting skill is impersonating people and making funny noises with my cheeks.Why do you deserve to be Miss Bermuda 2012?I believe I will be a great attribute to the Miss Bermuda organisation and my community. I am driven and passionate about making a difference by impacting people’s lives positively. I will encourage women to treasure their [moral] values and feel beautiful from the inside as much as the outside. In addition, I believe when you start something you should never give up — that is the key to a successful life journey. If chosen for Miss Bermuda 2012, I will support my community to the best of my ability.Dwanae Simons — Miss SmithsWhy did you decide to enter the Miss Bermuda Pageant 2012?I decided to enter the Miss Bermuda pageant to be a role model for young ladies of Bermuda as well as young girls growing up.What do you think is your best attribute — be it your smile, style or sense of humour?I think my best attribute is definitely my smile and my style. Looking my best added with a smile, I can never go wrong.What is your professional background? Do you have a college degree?I do not have a college degree, but I am an office assistant/receptionist at Wakefield Quin.What has been the most challenging/ rewarding part of the pageant process so far?I don’t find anything really challenging at this point but I would say that the most rewarding part of the pageant process is actually the whole process. I find everything that I’m learning very interesting and I’m just taking this whole process and putting my best foot forward.What are your hobbies? Do you have any interesting skills or talents?My favourite hobbies include spending quality time with my friends and family, attending church, travelling, and dancing.Why do you deserve to be Miss Bermuda 2012?I believe that I deserve to be Miss Bermuda 2012 because I have what it takes to represent this beautiful island of Bermuda that I call home. Not only am I beautiful on the outside, but also on the inside and I have genuine heart that goes out to future of Bermuda.