Miss Bermuda Rochelle Minors journeyed to China last night to begin preparations for the Miss World Pageant.The 22-year-old fashion design student will start rehearsals this weekend; a spectacular opening ceremony and live concert will take place next Tuesday.Miss Minors said yesterday she was “very excited” about the upcoming pageant on August 18.“I’m looking forward to going to China and representing Bermuda and making everyone proud and just enjoying the experience,” she said.“For me, the best part will be getting onstage, enjoying the atmosphere of being with the girls and just networking with each other and making new friendships.“I also hope to have a chance to build my confidence with speaking and to be bold.“I want to represent Bermuda to the best of my ability and promote my Country. I think that will be the most exciting part of it all.”This year’s pageant, taking place in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, will have a record-breaking 120 contestants.Five dedicated camera crews will provide around-the-clock TV and online coverage.For the first time, viewers will also be able to read comments from pageant contestants.Each beauty queen will be given a social media platform on missworld.com to upload personal statements in the lead-up to the finals.Miss Bermuda’s parents, Rosalyn and Marshall Minors, were at LF Wade International Airport last night to see the beauty queen off.Mrs Minors said: “We are just so proud of Rochelle. We always knew she had the potential to do something like this. She is a beautiful child inside, even more so than on the outside.“When she puts her mind to something she will do whatever it takes to accomplish her goals.”She said it’s been a “surreal experience” trying to get her daughter ready for Miss World; the young beauty was crowned Miss Bermuda 2012 less than two weeks ago.“If she is herself and the judges see the real Rochelle then she has a wonderful chance [at winning Miss World] because she is a wonderful person and hopefully that comes through.“She is very spiritual and I know God will see her through this.”Miss Minors’ friends and family, including older sister Cheri, are trying their best to attend the Miss World finals.Mrs Minors said: “We definitely want to go and a few other family members and friends have expressed their interest.“The problem is the $3,000 cost of airline tickets, but we will do what we can to support her.”Useful website: www.missworld.com