If you ask beauty queen Rochelle Minors’ parents what they are most looking forward to before the Miss World pageant their answer is simple — a hug from their daughter.Marshall and Rosalyn Minors said they only had a few weeks with the 22-year-old before she was whisked off to take part in pageant activities.Her father said: “We are all looking forward to seeing Rochelle because we miss her as we have not seen her very much this summer.“Prior to the Miss Bermuda pageant she was home from university for only three weeks and then was off to China ten days later after being crowned Miss Bermuda.“We want to hug and kiss her and congratulate her in person on the wonderful accomplishments she has made thus far in the competitions prior to the Miss World finals.”Miss Minors’ parents, sister Cheri and aunt Kim Minors journeyed across the world, to Ordos, China, in time for tomorrow’s pageant. The family said they were both excited and proud of everything the beauty queen has accomplished so far and were looking forward to seeing her on the world stage.“There is some anxiousness as we know that it is highly competitive given the fact that there are 120 of the most beautiful women in the world in the competition,” Mr Minors said.“Given that fact, however, the reality is that she has just as good a chance to win as any of the girls.”Mrs Minors said she was proud to see her daughter reach the semi-finals in the talent and modelling portions of the event. She was particularly pleased that she chose to enter every competition, even though they were optional.“She embraced the challenge with every effort which resulted in her making the quarter finals in talent and the semi-finals in modelling,” Mrs Minors explained.If the proud parents could deliver any message to their daughter before the big day, it would be ‘to have fun and enjoy the experience’.They would also encourage her to be herself and represent Bermuda to the best of her ability, Mrs Minors said.Premier Paula Cox also sent her well wishes to the young beauty. The Island’s leader said: “I applaud Miss Bermuda Rochelle Minors’ development into a charming, poised and elegant young woman who wishes to do her country proud.“Her potential as a peer leader and role model was assured when as a mere 14-year-old she was voted second-runner up and Miss Photogenic in the 2004 Miss Teen Bermuda Pageant where she delivered an eloquent platform on self-discipline and youth.“Our community has watched Rochelle become a recognisable face on the local fashion modelling circuit and we were excited when she was crowned Miss Bermuda in early July.”Ms Cox said she was pleased to see Miss Minors confidently represent Bermuda in the Miss World pageant pre-shows. “We are blessed to have such a wonderful role model for young women in Bermuda,” she said.“On behalf of the Government of Bermuda, I extend congratulations to her and wish her even more success as the finale of the competition takes place this weekend.“Rochelle, as you take your place on the stage between the many young women representatives from Albania to Zimbabwe, know that I, as Premier of Bermuda will be among the many Bermudians who will be glued to our televisions, watching and cheering you on.“Well done — you have already made us all so very proud!”Milika Trott-Seymour, the organiser of the Miss Bermuda pageant, also praised Miss Minors for her performance to date.“Rochelle has done extremely well; she was a finalist in two areas of competition which is commendable for only having been Miss Bermuda for a very short period of time,” she said.“I encourage everyone to tune in to the Miss World pageant tomorrow morning and support Miss Bermuda as she is our country’s ambassador at an event that is watched by over a billion people worldwide.“We really could not ask for better coverage for Bermuda and should all be proud of what Rochelle has accomplished.”She encouraged the young beauty queen to continue to do her best tomorrow.Mrs Trott said: “She arrived in China a winner and whether she brings home the Miss World crown or not, she has represented herself and Bermuda with such grace and I’m extremely proud of that. I wish her all the best at finals!”Craig Cannonier, leader of the One Bermuda Alliance, said the whole country was backing Miss Minors.He said: “One thing you can draw strength from as you head into this weekend’s competition is that all of Bermuda is with you — everyone.“You are a beautiful woman, bright and positive, with a winning smile and a natural way, who already has proven to be an excellent ambassador for the Island.“Be strong, be confident and, above all, have fun. You are already a winner!”Pageant judge Terry-Lee Smith, of T’eel Productions, said he was also confident in Miss Minors’ abilities. “She has definitely lived up to my expectations as a judge in the panel that helped choose her as Miss Bermuda 2012.“It’s good that Bermuda has girls that are ready for international competitions. It was almost a disadvantage she had so little time to prepare, but with Rochelle’s modelling experience, and because she has lived in London, it has heightened her expectations of what the real world is like.”He said her intelligence, determination and “exotic look” would all make her a force to be reckoned with in the competition.