Looking to find out a little more about the seven young beauties will be vying for the title of Miss Bermuda 2013?They are some of the most confident girls the competition has seen in the past few years — according to organiser Milika Trott-Seymour.She said it’s been “refreshing” to see young women who aren’t too concerned with what others say about them but are focused on the task at hand.The young women will be gearing up to take part in the pageant at the Fairmont Southampton Princess on June 23. Tickets are available through www.bdatix.bm.They will be competing for the coveted title, as well as a cash prize and all expense paid trip to Indonesia to take part in the Miss World contest, courtesy of the Bermuda Department of Tourism and British Airways.A wardrobe has also been provided by AS Coopers and other gifts and prizes will also be on offer.The Royal Gazette caught up with the young girls to find out why they decided to take part in the pageant, what sets them apart from the other contestants and why they think they would be the best girl for the job.Read on to find out what they had to say:Katherine Arnfield, –Miss SmithsMiss Arnfield is no stranger to the stage. She has modelled in the past, including at London Fashion Week 2011 and 2012, and said she feels quite comfortable on the catwalk.But she also understands that beauty is more than just what meets the eye. “Beauty is very subjective and is internal as well as external,” she explained.“To keep a smile on your face always helps, even through the worst of times. I try to make the best out of every situation. I also think loyalty to others is a beautiful quality.”She said one of her biggest inspirations at this stage of her life is late friend Alice Pyne, who died this year after a long and hard battle with cancer.Alice took the time to set up various cancer charities for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and made international headlines with her ‘bucket list’ of what she wanted to achieve before she died.Miss Arnfield said: “I will always remember her for her courage and positive and caring attitude and she will always be an inspiration to me.”She said she entered the Miss Bermuda 2013 pageant to meet new people and experience new challenges and events that she may not have had the chance to do otherwise.“I love Bermuda so much and the opportunity to represent and promote my country is a true honour.“If I were to win the Miss Bermuda pageant my main goal would be to represent Bermuda to the best of my ability at the Miss World Competition.“I would like to show the world that although Bermuda is small, we are a force to be reckoned with. I would make sure everyone knew where Bermuda is by the end of the pageant and they would be curious to learn more about us, and visit.”She said she would perform her duties with” tremendous pride” and to the best of her ability.Chelzea Somner, –Miss PembrokeMiss Somner was casually browsing the aisles of a local store when she caught the eye of the store owner and was encouraged to enter the Miss Bermuda competition.She believes it was the way she carried herself that impressed the owner so much and hopes to use her personality, pose and well rounded skill set to her advantage in the upcoming pageant.“I was so flattered that [store owner] believed in me that it made me believe in myself,” she said.Miss Somner said she had been forced to grow at every stage of the competition, but admitted it’s been a challenge keeping up with practices and other events while being in university in the UK.If she wins the competition, she hopes ”to be a symbol for our Island that [people] can rally behind and be proud of”.She said she is actively involved in sporting activities like hockey and netball, as well as dance, music and modelling. As a result she is able to relate to a wide range of people and is prepared to perform to a high standard, while under pressure.The young lady said it was her mom who was her biggest cheerleader and supported her through everything.She hopes to be an inspiration to other young girls and said: “I hope other girls learn from me that confidence is key.“I hope to inspire other girls to sign up in years to come as ‘I am just a regular girl’. If I can do it, I believe that anyone can have the confidence to do it too!”Jahshuntae Darrell, –Miss SandysMiss Darrell has her sights on being a role model to young girls and teaching them that no matter what they have been through “their futures are as big as they can dream”.She wants young girls to know it’s important not to let the challenges and negative people get the best of you. “Most of all they should always remember that they are their best asset,” she explained.If she wins the pageant, she said she would love to represent the Island at the Miss World competition and also to use the platform to engage with and inspire other young Bermudian girls.She said the pageant process has been very rewarding so far. She described it as “a once in a lifetime experience” for her to try new and different things.What sets her apart from the other contestants is her ability to express herself clearly and work through difficult circumstances without giving up.She said one of her most beautiful qualities is her determination — something she got from watching the strong women in her life.“They have been go-getters despite the obstacles that have been put in front of them. They always found a way to make it,” she said.Mikeisha Butterfield,–Miss DevonshireMiss Butterfield admitted she has a “way with words”, great personality and charm.But it’s her faith in God that she believes adds an “inner spark” and sets her apart from a room full of people.She said she entered the competition to improve her communication skills, but since the process started she has grown from taking part in workshops and interacting with the other contestants.The most challenging part of the pageant process so far has been watching her food intake and sticking with her exercise routine.But at the end of the day she hopes she leaves with a better understanding of who she is.She also expects to walk away with greater leadership skills that she can use to affect change in the community and promote confidence and integrity within the Island’s young women.If she is chosen to be the next Miss Bermuda, she believes she can be a great role model and an ambassador for our Country.She hopes to show young girls they can do anything they put their mind to. “If you are passionate and have the drive, you can do it. Never give up [and] always hold your head up high.“There will always be a few that will not support you and try to bring you down but don’t let them and show them that all of the negativity is what makes you stronger and makes you a better person today.“Don’t let anyone tell you that you can not speak out because you have the right no matter what [gender] you are. If I can do it any of you can do it as well,” she added.Alexandra McMartin, Miss WarwickThey old saying that happy girls are the prettiest might ring true for pageant contestant Miss McMartin.She believes some of her best attributes are her sense of humour and optimism and tries to always look on the bright side of life.“I feel that every moment presents a choice,” she said. “Thinking positive and giving your best whether it be in a good situation or a bad one is something I always strive to do.”It’s a quality she learned from her mother and something that might set her apart from the other ladies competing for the title of Miss Bermuda 2013.She said: “Each of us [contestants] have different but charismatic personalities. [But] I do know that I am a hard worker and strive for the best, and have an optimistic and sunny outlook on life and will do my best to meet the challenges ahead of me.”The most challenging part of the competition will likely be the pageant night on June 23, but Miss McMartin said she has enjoyed meeting the other young women and making new friends.If she wins, she is hopeful she would be a good ambassador for the Island home she is so proud of.She also hopes she can help young girls and inspire them to learn poise, carry themselves well, speak clearly and have confidence.“I hope this pageant will encourage other young girls to think ‘out of the box’ and embrace new situations without being embarrassed or frightened to do so,” she added.Echaunti Swan, –Miss Hamilton ParishWith so much negative going on in the world today, Miss Swan said pageants like Miss Bermuda 2013 give young women something positive to look forward to.She decided to enter the beauty contest to show other young ladies the importance of being a leader and rocking a sense of confidence.But admitted it has been hard to manage all the pageant activities with having a full time job. “It can be overwhelming, but also the most rewarding part as well,” she said.“The time I get to be with the girls and learning different things about myself is more than I could ever ask for.”If she won the Miss Bermuda title, Miss Swan said she would want to start a female empowerment programme that would encourage and uplift young women in Bermuda to go after their dreams.Her mantra in life is always to reach for the stars — this ambition has helped her to complete a communications degree at Western Kentucky University; and what may help her to get a Masters in Marketing in the future.She said her sense of humour and outgoing personality are what make her beautiful. She also hopes other young girls can learn from her example to follow their hearts and dreams.“Someone once told me ‘if your goals and dreams aren’t laughable, than you need to strive for something bigger’. There will also be people trying to hold you down, but pick yourself up and keep doing what is best for you.”Denae Simmons,–Miss SouthamptonMiss Simmons entered the Miss Bermuda pageant out of curiosity to see what it would be like and in a bid to challenge herself to step into a public role and build more self confidence.What she has gained throughout the process is even greater — the opportunity to make positive changes in herself.“I’m learning to have poise, self confidence and enhance my grammar,” she said. “The most challenging part is focusing on a good answer when being asked questions [as] being nervous can make the easiest questions difficult to answer.”She said she was inspired by her sister Derricka and cousin Jubilee — who are both “very well put together” and driven women. “My sister succeeds at whatever goals she sets for herself,” she explained. “My cousin does the same academically and I hope to graduate university with honours as well.”Though she is described as ‘pert’, she said people might be surprised to know she’s also not afraid to get her hands dirty and be adventurous.Some of her other beautiful qualities are sense of humour and desire to make people smile and show a little love to brighten someone’s day.She hopes to help other young girls boost their self esteem and consider participating in the Miss Bermuda Pageant.“I believe all woman are beautiful and intelligent and they should never allow anyone to make them feel that they cannot succeed at something,” she said.