Valene ready for China

With less than a week before she flies out to Sanya, China, Valene is excited and brimming with confidence.

“It is a great honour to represent my country and I am doing all that I can to stand out and shine for TT,” she told Newsday.

The 21-year-old Claxton Bay beauty said she has grown considerably since being chosen to represent this country.

“I know there is nothing such as perfection but there is as close to perfection as possible and that is what I strive for, to be the best in every area,” she said.

That enthusiasm and confidence is shared by franchaise holder Peter Elias who said he was excited about her growth over her months of preparation for the international beauty pageant.

He told Newsday it was the result of a team effort.

“What has allowed this to be as rewarding a task as it’s been has been Valene’s enthusiasm and dedication, coupled with financial assistance from Culture Minister Joan Yuille-Williams.

“This has not been the hand-to-mouth, scotch-taping-together scenario it sometimes is. Though the team is drowning in pageant preparations and limited by budgets and other restraints, it has been a much less stressful journey,”Elias said.

Valene’s commitments go way beyond preparations for the pageant. She is also deeply involved in preparations for an auction of art by the children of St Mary’s Children’s Home, a charity programme she undertook themed “Paint Your Dreams”, which she holds close to her heart.

Valene said she is proud of the children at St Mary’s Home and is expecting the auction, which takes place on October 28, to be a great success.

“The children have all worked hard, and they had so much fun. I have plans to continue working with them even after the pageant,” she said. The svelte beauty, who is 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 105 pounds, first entered the Miss Trinidad and Tobago competition more than a year ago, but ended up as runner-up to Keneisha Thom, who went on to represent TT at the Miss Universe pageant.

She was crowned Miss TT/World following a competition at Club Zen last May. Miss World 2007 will be held at the Crown of Beauty Theater, in Sanya, China on December 1. Delegates are expected in Sanya by November 2. They will visit a number of popular spots in mainland China and view preparations for the 2008 Olympic Games. Unlike 2005 and 2006 editions, Miss World 2007 will not have continental zones in the selection of the semi-finalists — all the contestants will vie for the semifinals spots. The format is similar to that used in Miss World 2004 with the exclusion of the Miss Congeniality award.