A 19-year-old Bermudian woman is vying for the Miss United Negro College Fund Scholarship Pageant crown.Monica Spencer, of Hamilton Parish, entered the competition to be a role model for youth in Bermuda and around the world.The daughter of Marcia and Aaron Spencer is a junior at Alabama’s Oakwood University.In order to participate in the UNCF pageant, she must first win a preliminary competition at her school in December.If she is successful, she will then go on to represent Oakwood University in the UNCF pageant in February.The UNCF is a philanthropic organisation that was founded in 1944. Its primary focus is students from historically black colleges and universities.The winner of the competition will partially be decided by their fundraising efforts. The contestant who raises the most, receives a percentage of it in the form of a scholarship.Students of all races are able to apply for the scholarship. Ms Spencer said she learned about the UNCF in 2006, but wasn’t interested in running for Miss UNCF until her freshman year at Oakwood.“I enjoy making a difference and positively influencing those around me,” she said. “This would provide me with more opportunities [and allow] me to continue changing the world.“Being crowned Miss UNCF would show that whatever you put your mind to, you can and will achieve through God’s help.”The Bermuda Institute graduate is an English major and plans on becoming a lawyer after graduating.Persons interested in supporting Ms Spencer can make donations online, www.ougiving.com under the Miss UNCF link or mail cheques to Monica Spencer-UNCF c/o the Bermuda Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 41 King Street, Hamilton, Bermuda, HM EX.