Behind the beautiful gowns, the perfectly coiffed hair and flawless make-up, lies eight young girls with hopes and dreams of becoming the next Miss Bermuda 2014.

We asked this year’s pageant contestants a series of thought-provoking questions and learned they all have interesting hobbies, skills and talents, greater than what might meet the eye.

So far we’ve spoken to aspiring entertainer Cami Bean-Caines (also known as Cami-Cam) and Siairah Minors, a 19-year-old who wants to make a positive difference in the community by becoming a police officer.

This week we are profiling Miss Southampton, Khianda Pearman-Watson and Miss Hamilton Parish, Indigo Palacio. Read on to find out what qualities make these two girls stand out and what they hope they can bring to the Miss Bermuda pageant.

Khianda Pearman-Watson — Miss Southampton

When Hollywood newcomer Lupita Nyong’o gave an emotive speech on the value of black beauty at Essence Magazine’s annual Black Women in Hollywood luncheon, the world sat up and took notice.

For fellow dark-skinned beauty Khianda Pearman-Watson, one of the contestants in this year’s Miss Bermuda Pageant, it was a moment she won’t soon forget.

The 19-year-old said: “I listened to [Ms Nyong’o’s] speech at the Black Women in Hollywood Awards and I felt as though she was speaking to me.

“She said ‘I realised that beauty was not a thing that I could acquire or consume, it was something that I just had to be’. And as human beings we need to realise that it’s not outer beauty that we need to seek validation for, it’s inner beauty as well.”

Miss Pearman-Watson, representing Southampton in next month’s pageant, admitted she was very proud of her dark skin.

That along with her height and the way she carries herself are what will set her apart from the other contestants vying for the title of Miss Bermuda 2014.

Miss Pearman-Watson described herself as a very active person who loves to play sports like high jump, netball and volleyball — and has represented Bermuda in all three.

She said people might also be surprised to know that she can sing.

Outside of Ms Nyong’o, she said her biggest inspiration has been her mom who “supports her in everything she does and encourages her to be the best she can be”.

The teenager signed up for the pageant after people started encouraging her to do so. The positive feedback from others helped boost her confidence and gave her the extra push she needed to try out.

When pageant rehearsals first began, she was still away in school studying international business (at Leeds Metropolitan University in the UK).

Although she was “a little worried” about whether she’d be able to catch up with all the practices she had missed, Miss Pearman-Watson was able to learn the necessary skills quickly.

Over the past few weeks she has been able to make new friends, improve her public speaking ability and gain more self-confidence.

She said: “I would love to be Miss Bermuda because it would allow me to not only show my talents but also show the world all the great possessions Bermuda holds and has to offer.

“If crowned Miss Bermuda 2014 I would first like to increase my involvement in the community, not just with the youth, but all aspects therefore becoming a good role model for my peers.”

Over the summer, Miss Pearman-Watson will be working in the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs.

But her ultimate goal is to finish university and find a job that allows her to travel the world and experience different cultures.

“While travelling I want to gain experience by working in these countries and also learn how these countries adopt different business practices,” she explained. “Another dream of mine is to be a professional model, which would allow me to travel the world as well.”

Indigo Palacio — Miss Hamilton Parish

Indigo Palacio never thought about signing up for the Miss Bermuda Pageant, but after a woman approached her and offered to sponsor her, the 18-year-old couldn’t turn the offer down.

“I was hesitant at first but then I felt honoured to know that someone believed that I have what it takes to be Miss Bermuda and would be willing to invest their time and money in such a great opportunity like this for me,” she said.

“Continuing my journey in the pageant, I feel that Miss Bermuda means being a mentor, and showing the world that there is more that meets the eye than just having a pretty face in this pageant.”

Miss Palacio said it’s been an interesting process so far.

She has been trained how to walk, speak and dress “with a certain mannerism” — and has learned a lot about herself.

“I have always taken great pride in my appearance, and even though I have participated in various fashion shows this year, I feel as if I am learning another side of myself,” she explained.

“My biggest challenge is working on my facial expressions, separating the ‘model’ side of me and the ‘pageant’ side. They are two different characters.

“While modelling, depending on the show, you are a certain character. You are still yourself, but a character nonetheless.

“With Miss Bermuda, the pageantry is more personal and more composed, yet engaging. I must remember to relax my face more and continue to show a natural, bubbly, pageant smile.”

She said the best part of the experience so far are the friendships she has made.

Although it’s a competition, she said the girls have all been very encouraging and warm.

An avid volunteer in the past, Miss Palacio hopes that if she wins the pageant she can become a role model to young girls in the community.

She is currently taking time off from college to reassess her career goals and volunteer at the Bermuda National Gallery.

Her ultimate goal is to own her own business. “I’d love to be an entrepreneur and have my own clothing store,” she said.

The former CedarBridge Academy student counts school principal Kalmar Richards as one of her biggest inspirations.

“[Mrs Richards] is the most God-fearing, respectful woman I have ever met,” Miss Palacio said. “She believes in her students and takes the time out every school day to greet them at the door and ask how we have been.

“To see how much she takes pride in her school and her appearance encouraged me as a student to continue to strive for excellence.

“Being the principal of CedarBridge Academy is a difficult job, but I’ve had the opportunity to see for myself how she handles her job effortlessly.”

One of her first priorities if she is named Miss Bermuda would be provide young artists with a space to connect and network.

She also wants to advocate for local after-school programmes to start teaching young children, especially girls, about etiquette and self respect.

What sets her apart from some of the other contestants is that she is very open-minded and a great observer, she said.

“I’ve always been the quiet type I might not be much of a talker, but I observe enough to understand. I listen and learn therefore when it is my time to speak I am prepared.”

The Miss Bermuda Pageant 2014 will take place on Sunday, July 6 at the Fairmont Southampton. Tickets are available online at bdatix.bm.