Self-image, confidence and character are all important building blocks for healthy living. Instilling these life skills in a young girl can assist in developing the “whole woman”. Not all pageants are beauty pageants there are some out there focused on knowing your worth and letting true beauty from the inside shine forth.The annual ‘Little Miss Paradise Pageant’ is doing just that. Little Miss Paradise Pageant will be on stage on September 1 at the City Hall Theater at 3pm. According to the programme coordinator the pageant has been annually running for about ten years or more. There are seven contestants that are competing at this year’s show and will be representing parishes throughout the Island. The girls are aged between eight and 11. Life builders such as self-esteem, confidence and respect have taught the girls how to carry themselves as young ladies.Programme coordinator Theresa Brangman said: “Little Miss Paradise Pageant - Is a girl who wants to be a true role model in all she does and not just while representing our title. Character, confidence, and community. Changing lives - one at a time: For the young ladies to know their self worth and how to respect their selves and others and how to give back to the community.”Each contestant is required to take a three-week training programme and are given a 25 question and answer study on Bermuda including topics such as the island’s history, music, culture and sports. The girls must select a charity that they want to assist for two years in reign.Asha Galloway who is the pageant’s speech and drama manager said: “The girls will be showcasing everything from their talent all the way to their ability to speak. They are being coached on how to walk, how to have confidence in themselves and how to present themselves on stage. I think these girls have a lot of potential to even go further than just the pageant. They are learning how to speak, but most of these girls are very intelligent.”The young girls hope to get more experiences and make new friends through the pageant. Sedona-Sky Duffy who is representing Southampton parish said: “I think the show is going to be a great opportunity for all of us to learn a lot of confidence and abilities and whoever does get crowned we know that we all were winners and everybody just went out there and did their best - so it doesn’t matter what place you came.”Massassi Smith, who is representing Warwick, said: “I wanted to do this so that I can have experience, win the crown and make new friends.”Jailyn Boddington, who is representing St George’s (East) expressed that she was inspired to take part in the pageant by the death of her grandfather. She said: “At first I didn’t want to do it, but recently my papi passed away and I know he would’ve wanted me to do it.”The kids expressed that they were greatly assisted with their questions and answers when their teacher Ms Galloway gave them actions to help them memorise the answers.Contestants will be displaying talents from singing all the way to jump rope. The young ladies are not taught the talents, but have to come in with a talent to show. Paris Seymour, representing St George’s (West) said: “My talent is a French poem. I chose a French poem because my French teacher at my school inspires me.” Ms Brangman quoted as encouragement: “Don’t just dream it - do it!!!!!”Miss Teja Watson who is currently the reigning Little Miss Paradise said: “I have enjoyed my reign for the past two years and it’s had ups and downs. Especially when it comes to the parades because my face was always hurting.” Teja will be singing a song as her farewell performance and expressed that winning the crown made her feel special. She said: “If your bodies aren’t hurting at the end of the show you did not do it right. If it’s hurting at the end of the show you did your best.”Dance instructor Kievonne Simmons said:“I enjoyed working with these girls. The year of Teja’s year they weren’t so outgoing and were reserved and quiet, but they have come out.”Tickets for the pageant are on sale for $20 and can be purchased from the contestants, Family Affair Boutique and The Centre on Angle Street. For more information you can contact The Centre(Angle Street) at 292 - 1343.