Young beauty Rochelle Minors was crowned the new Miss Bermuda 2012 after a fierce three hour competition last night.The 22-year-old, who donned a stunning turquoise evening gown, wowed the crowd with her humour and intelligence during the interview portion of the night.She beamed from ear to ear when she was announced the Island’s newest pageant queen and said she was “shocked” about the win.“I am in complete shock. I just have to say I give God all the glory for this. I am very proud.“To be honest I believed I had the potential to win Miss Bermuda but I never thought in my wildest dreams this would happen.”She said she wanted “to play a part in writing Bermuda’s history” by representing the Island in the Miss World Pageant in China later this year.When asked she said she believed she had the potential to go far in the international competition. “I think I have the potential to be the next Miss Gina Swainson,” she said.Miss Minors, representing Sandys, won out over seven other contestants, including first runner up Chelsy Furtado, representing Pembroke.The competition, organised by Milika Trott Seymour, was held at the Fairmont Southampton last night.Second runner up was Lené Hypolite, representing Devonshire, who shinned in a silver and white sparkly dress.Other contestants included DaShunte Furbert representing Hamilton Parish, Dwanae Simons representing Smiths, Crystal Lyn representing Southampton, Shannon Ingram representing St George’s and Deshona Perinchief representing Warwick.Locals came decked out in smart casual wear and were entertained by some of the Island’s brightest talents including rapper Jelani Simmons, singer Sia Spence and Bermuda-born singer Devanne Rattery.United Dancer Productions also had a group of youngsters who worked the stage to an African-Latin beat.Hosts were radio personality Patrina ‘Powergirl’ Paynter and comedian Nadanja Bailey who brought some light comic relief to the show.Government MP Lovitta Foggo was also present for the pageant.Judges included former radio host Kristy ‘Miss Thang’ Burgess, broadcast journalist Glenn Jones, pageant producer Terry Smith, former Miss Bermuda of 1989 Sophia Cannonier and former Miss Bermuda of 1992, Colita Joseph Cook.The newly crowned Miss Bermuda is a well known model on the local circuit. She told The Royal Gazette she wanted to be more than a pretty face and initiate change on the Island.“Through the Miss Bermuda title I want to begin addressing the important issues that our country is facing.“There is change to be made on our Island and as Miss Bermuda I would like to be the initiator of change. I have the diverse mind set and skills to embrace international commerce and exchange. “She said she wanted to lead by example and “undertake a lifestyle that represents the high morals and religious values that I stand for”.Miss Minors has an Associates Degree in Art and Design from The Bermuda College and earned a Foundation Diploma with Merit from the Fashion Design School at West London College.She is currently enrolled in a Bachelors programme in Fashion Design at the University for the Creative Arts in Rochester, England.In a prior interview with The Royal Gazette, she said the hardest part of the pageant process was tuning into the mindset of becoming a beauty queen contestant and putting her modelling experience to the side.“I’ve been in the [modelling] 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. “She said the best part of the experience was developing relationships and making new friends, as well as participating in all the events throughout the pageant.“They have been such enjoyable moments,” she said.In her spare time Miss Minors enjoys designing and making clothes, shopping for inspiration, making jewellery, socialising, reading, exercising and playing on the violin or keyboard.In addition to her other talents, she has been a musician since age seven.