Miss South Mature lends a helping hand

Mauricia Pollonais Thomas was crowned Miss South Mature Trinidad and Tobago 2006/7 at the Creative Arts Centre in San Fernando on June 11.

According to Thomas, who is the last of seven children, she was attracted to the pageant because the concept was different from the other local beauty pageants.

“The focus is not just on outward beauty but intelligence, social issues, talent and poise. These are qualities a true ‘diva’ should possess,” she said.

Thomas, 29, is involved in charity work and events for women as part of her official duties.

“It hurts me to see people suffering so when I can lend a helping hand I will. Once everything goes according to plan I hope to be part of the prison ministry at Our Lady of Perpetual Help RC Church soon.” She also believes women should be free to choose the path of housewife, career woman or both because they are important roles.

“I know that many people may be worried about the changing role of women,” she said. “Today there seems to be a trend of women moving away from the household and more into the world of work. When I look at the women in my family and society as a whole, I think there is a lot to be proud of and I feel I am a woman who can represent this as Miss South Mature TT.”

Thomas is a teacher and loves her job and her students. She is also in the final year of her Bachelors degree programme in the faculty of Humanities. She intends to do her Masters and wants also to like to pursue broadcasting and photography.

“Education has always been a very important issue in my family, especially with my father,” she explained. “If he had to sell the shirt on his back to send us to school he would do it without a second thought.”

Thomas attended Gasparillo Composite and took her A-Level exams at Marabella Senior Comprehensive. She always loved fashion and modelling and won pageants in both schools she attended. However, she put this aside to focus on her studies.

Besides fashion, she enjoys travelling, experiencing different cultures and watching television.

“I am a sucker for home improvement shows, National Geographic, the History channel and the culture of TT.”

Thomas wished to thank Deron Attzs for “bringing the South Mature pageant to life.” She thoroughly enjoyed working with him and the hard-working pageant committee which consisted of Paula Smart, Sherley Harrington-Fraser and Pearl Williams. She sends her love to her fellow delegates who she has come to see as “sisters in womanhood and wonderful women.” These include Alyson Oeffeo who was first runner up; Beverly Perscott who placed third and Miss Amity, Kemilliah Mclean.

She also wished to thank Rouper’s Clothing, Trade Winds Hotel, BR Contractors Services, Eastern Credit Union, Mon Repos RC School, and the other sponsors of this year’s show for making it all possible.