Miss Intercontinental 2012 Official Candidates

The Miss Intercontinental 2012 pageant celebrating it's 41st year will take place on November 23 at the Eurogress Convention Center in Aachen, Germany.

Hosting the event were Patrick Urban and Khadra Sufi. Invited guests artists were tenor Cristian Lanza and the Soul Legend Keith Tynes.

The distinguish panel of judges who will decide on the fate of the contestants were as follows: Kai Noll (Actor); Natalie Horler (Singer & Television Presenter); Dr. Yasar Sarigul (Author & Plastic Surgeon); Turkay Yegenoglu (Legal Advisor / Consultant); Keith Tynes (Singer); Jessica Hartman (Miss Intercontinental 2011); Max Claus (Actor); Hans Jurgen Strunck (Director of Casino Aachen); Manuel "Diamond Boy" Charr (Professional Boxer);

The reigning queen, Jessica Hartman (photo above) from USA will crown her successor at the end of the competition.

MEET THIS YEAR 55 BEAUTIES VYING FOR THE CROWN:

Australia Martina Obtulovic Age: 18 Languages: English, Slovak Profession: Model and Entertainment Host Hobby: Reading, Travelling	Belgium Laetitia Wastyn Age: 20 Languages: Dutch, French, Spanish, English, German Profession: Student of Language and Literature Hobby: Cooking	Bolivia Mariana Garcia Mariaca Age: 24 Languages: Spanish, English Profession: Student & Model Hobby: Reading Novels, Movies, Sightseeing	Bonaire Saphira Janga Age: 22 Languages: Papiamentu, English, Dutch, Spanish Profession: Nurse Hobby: Dancing
Bosnia & Herzegovina Semina Obradovic Age: 19 Languages: Bosnian, English, Swedish Profession: Student (Graduate High School) Hobby: Photography, my friends, Gym	Brazil Priscilla Martins Age: 22 Languages: Spanish, English, Portuguese Profession: Student and Model Hobby: Reading, Surfing Internet, Listen to Music	Canada Kesiah Kathleen Liane Papasin Age: 21 Languages: English Profession: Student of Health Hobby: Reading, Swimming and Dancing	China Wen Xiao Jing Age: 25 Languages: English, Chinese Profession: Student (Master) Hobby: Keeping Pets, Travelling
Colombia Ana Melissa Cano Rey Age: 22 Languages: Spanish, English Profession: Student of Marketing and Advertising Hobby: Dancing, Movies, Table Tennis	Costa Rica Marian Natasha Sibaja Burmudez Age: 22 Languages: Spanish Profession: Student of Medicine Hobby: Painting, Listen to Music, Reading	Curacao Stephanie Chang Age: 20 Languages: Papiamentu, Dutch, Spanish, English Profession: Manager Hobby: Flamenco Dancing, Horseback Riding	Denmark Iben Juel Nielsen Age: 20 Languages: Danish, English Profession: Model and disability worker Hobby: Travelling, Horseback Riding
Dominican Republic Nayelin Aquino Age: 23 Languages: English, Spanish, French Profession: Student Civil Engineering Hobby: Reading, Dancing, Gym	Egypt Fatma Ahmed Fouda Age: 21 Languages: English, Spanish, Arabic Profession: Student of Tourism and Model Hobby: Drawing, Internet	England Laura Ashfield Age: 25 Languages: English Profession: Dancer, Teacher und Model Hobby: Dancing, Travelling	Ethiopia Melkam Endale Age: 21 Languages: English Profession: College Student Hobby: Reading, Cooking
Georgia Nino Makharadze Age: 21 Languages: Russian, French, English Profession: Student, Model Hobby: Playing Piano, Singing, Reading	Germany Susan Henry Age: 21 Languages: German, English Profession: Miss Deutschland Hobby: Reading, Travelling, Singing	Guadeloupe Stephie Emilien Moussa Age: 20 Languages: French, English Profession: Student of Economy and Management Hobby: Fashion, Dancing, Reading	Hungary Emerencia Bencsik Age: 24 Languages: Hungarian, English Profession: Selfemployed Hobby: Travelling, Shooting
India Bobby Layal Age: 22 Languages: English, Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali Profession: Graduate in Business Administration, Singer & Video Director Hobby: Singing, Dancing	Ireland Alana McDonnell Age: 18 Languages: English, Irish, French Profession: Student of Counselling and Psycotherapy Hobby: Reading, Socialising, Walking	Japan Nanami Tsuyama Age: 27 Languages: Japanese, English Profession: English Teacher and Dance Instructor Hobby: Reading Novels, Travelling	Latvia Diana Kubasova Age: 23 Languages: Latvian, English, Spanish, German, Russian, Chinese Profession: Model, Actress, Business Woman, Designer Hobby: Sewing, Cooking, Travelling, Reading, Diving
Lebanon Jeanne Marie Konsol Age: 22 Languages: English, Arabic, French Profession: Student of Audiovisual Science and Model Hobby: Scuba Diving, Sky Diving	Macedonia Ana Tanchevska Age: 18 Languages: Serbian, Macedonian, Bulgarian, English Profession: Student and Model Hobby: Drawing, Internet, Music	Malta Janica Camilleri Age: 23 Languages: Maltese, Italian, English Profession: Teacher Hobby: Dancing, Socialising, Reading Magazins	Mauritius Ameeksha Devi Dilchard Age: 25 Languages: English, French Profession: Law Degree Holder, Practising the Bar Vocational Course Hobby: Dancing, Gardening, Cooking
Mexico Mittzy Ruschke Age: 19 Languages: Spanish, English Profession: Student of Cosmetology Hobby: Swimming, Surfing	Netherlands Laury Vogelzang Age: 18 Languages: Dutch, English Profession: Hobby: Karate	New Zealand Avianca Bohm Age: 22 Languages: English, Afrikaans Profession: Student of Fashion Design Hobby: Sewing	Nigeria Uzoma Cynthia Anayaoku Age: 21 Languages: Profession: Hobby:
Norway Melissa A. Mindaas-Tysse Age: 23 Languages: Norwegian, English, Spanish Profession: Student of Middle East at the Faculty of Humanities Hobby: Hiking, Salsa Dance, Spending time with my Family	Panama Astrid Caballero Age: 21 Languages: Spanish Profession: Student Interior Design + Model Hobby: Swimming	Paraguay Claudia Kohl Gruzmann Age: 18 Languages: Spanish Profession: Student Hobby: Dancing, Listening to Music	Philippines Camille Guevara Age: 20 Languages: English, Filipino Profession: Graduating Tourism Student Hobby: Cooking, Chess
Poland Anna Kowalska Age: Languages: English, Polish Profession: Student of Technical University of Lodz Hobby: Fitness, Travelling	Portugal Indira Ferreira Age: 21 Languages: Portuguese, English Profession: Student of accounting and management Hobby: Watching Movies, Reading and Photography	Puerto Rico Genesis MariaDavilo Perez Age: 19 Languages: Spanish, English Profession: Model & Student Hobby: Listening to Music, Going to the Beach	Romania Sinziana Sirghi Age: 18 Languages: English, Romanian, German Profession: Student 12 Grade Hobby: Modelling, Reading, Traveling
Russia Valeriya Kirilenko Age: 24 Languages: Russia, English, French Profession: Marketing Hobby: Yoga, Singing, Drawing	Scotland Sarah Pitt Age: 25 Languages: English Profession: BA Hons Marketing graduate, Currently working for an international marketing company Hobby: Art and design, Singing: classical and musical	Singapore Daphne Ashok Lakhiani Age: 26 Languages: English, Malay Profession: Student of Biomedical Science Hobby: Dancing, Kickboxing	Slovakia Alexandra Klimelova Age: 23 Languages: Slovakian, Croatian, German, English Profession: Student Hobby: Jogging, Inline Scating and Dancing
South Africa Roxanne Amy Zeller Age: 18 Languages: English, German, Afrikaans Profession: Student of Psychology Hobby: Modelling	Spain Miriam Ruiz Lopez Age: 21 Languages: Spanish, Catalan, Italian, English Profession: Profesional Model & Student Superior Architecture Hobby: Drawing, Painting, Reading, Travelling	Sri Lanka Anupama Wanaguru Age: 24 Languages: English, Sinhala Profession: Flight Attendant Hobby: Making Yoghurts, Reading, Volunteering Work, Singing	Sweden Kristina Glenn Age: 21 Languages: Swedish & English Profession: Model & Shop Assistant Hobby: Charities, Reading, Writing, Baking
Taiwan Cinzia Chang Age: 20 Languages: Mandarin, English, Turkish Profession: Student of Turkish Language and Literature Hobby: Reading, Languages, Listening to Music	Thailand Natthida Pekkhad Age: 24 Languages: Thai, English Profession: Radio Host, Model & Actress Hobby: Drawing, Listening to Music	Turkey Betul Agabeyoglu Age: 17 Languages: Turkish, German Profession: Hairdresser (Trainee) Hobby: Shopping, Jogging	Ukraine Tetiana Kozak Age: 19 Languages: Ukrainian, English Profession: Student & Model Hobby: Traveling, Chess, Knitting
USA Melissa Novak Age: 19 Languages: English Profession: Student Nutrition major and Dance Teacher Hobby: Bikram Yoga, Running, Modeling, Dance	Venezuela Daniela Chalbaud Age: 21 Languages: Spanish, English Profession: Student of Languages & Model Hobby: Hiking, Surfing	Wales Christi Janae Neveling Age: 18 Languages: English, Afrikaans Profession: Student of Psychology, Law and Health Hobby: Dancing, modern & contemporary, Classical Ballet and Surfing

* Venezuela emerged as Miss Intercontinental 2012

Charity Day Events | Miss Earth 2012

The Miss Earth 2012 delegates of Group 1 went to a day of fun, loving and caring to 37 kids from Nayon ng Kabataan in cooperation with the SM Food Group, Nido Discovery Center, and SM Cinemas for the Charity Day Event Challenge.

The contestants went to the Nayon ng Kabataan compound where they planted trees with the children. They also went to the SM Nido Discovery Center where they learned more about eco-friendly practices and science. They then had a chance to ride at the SM Eye and were treated to lunch at Taste Asia and Magnum Ice Cream while the other kids watched a movie. 8 eco-friendly beauties sold green bags which proceeds of which was doubled by the SM Food Group to buy items for Nayon ng Kabataan.

It was indeed a fun-filled day for the kids but most specially for the Miss Earth delegates who war big sisters for a day. Voted by the guardians of the Nayon kids was Miss Bosnia & Herzegovina, Zerina Sirbegovic for Gold, Miss Trinidad & Tobago, Amryl Nurse for Silver. And Miss Nicaragua, Braxis Alvarez for Bronze.

* See also Special Coverage - Miss Earth 2012

Talent Competition | Miss Earth 2012

The Talent Competition for the Miss Earth 2012 pageant took place on November 10-11. The delegates were divided into 3 groups:

For Group 1, the event was held at the Robinson's Starmills in Pampanga. The Gold medal went to Miss Puerto Rico, Darli Pacheco. The silver medalist was Tamerin Jardine of South Africa. And the 3rd placer was Jen-Ling Lu, Miss Chinese Taipei.

The most grandest amusement park in the Philippines, the Enchanted Kingdom in Sta. Rosa, Laguna is the venue for the Group 2. The winner of the Gold medal is Ilknur Melis Durası from Turkey. In 2nd place was Sherina van der Koelen from Guadeloupe. And in 3rd place was Spain's Nathalia Moreira.

For the Group 3, the event took place at the Dilinger's Bar in Greenbelt 3, Ayala Malls in Makati City. In 1st place was Deviyah Daranee, Miss Malaysia. 2nd place was Malta's Yasmin Falzon. And the Bronze medalist was Odily Alvarenga of Honduras.

* See also Miss Earth 2012 Complete Report

Star / Miss Hellas 2012 Results (Miss Greece)

After been on hold for the past 2 years due to country's economic crisis, Star & Miss Hellas big comeback in 2012 took place on November 14 in Athens celebrating it's 60th edition.

20 year old Vasiliki Tsirogianni from Thessaloniki won the title of Star Hellas 2012. She stands 5'9.5" tall and she will represent Greece in Miss Universe 2012 pageant this coming December 19 at the PH Live, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

1st run-up Star Hellas was Eftihia Lazarou.

Meanwhile, Athina Pikraki was crowned Miss Hellas 2012 and she will enter the Miss World 2013 competition to be held at the Mata Elang International Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia on September next year.

1st run-up Miss Hellas was Christina Georgopoulou. The gala was broadcasted via online streaming by Tlife.

Who is Germany's representative to Miss Universe 2012?

23 year old Alicia Endemann from Hamburg was handpicked to be the official representative of Germany in the upcoming Miss Universe 2012 pageant which will be held at the PH Live, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States on December 19.

Alicia stands 5'9" tall and working as an actress, singer and currently a business management student.

Christela Jacques wins Miss Universe Haiti 2012

22 year old professional model, Christela Jacques from Port-au-Prince won the title of Miss Universe Haiti 2012. She stands 5'9.5" tall and will represent Haiti in the upcoming Miss Universe 2012 pageant on December in at the PH Live, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States.

Carmen Lucia Aldana crowned Senorita Colombia 2012

Winning the 10th title from Valle, Carmen Lucia Aldana Roldan won the crown of Señorita Colombia 2012 during the annual gala held on November 12 at the Auditorio Barahona, Centro de Convenciones Julio Cesar Turbay in Cartagena de Indias.

20 year old Lucia from Cali stands 6'0.5" tall. She is currently a student of communications and she will represent her country in Miss Universe 2013 pageant next year.

The 1st run-up or “Virreina” was Cindy Lorena Hermida Aguilar, from Huila. She will enter the Miss International 2013 contest in Okinawa, Japan next October.

“Primera Princesa” or the 2nd run-up was Senorita Meta, Margarita Maria Peralta Tovar. Finished “Segunda Princesa” or 3rd run-up was Laura Trujillo Montoya representing Antioquia. And finally “Tercera Princesa” or the 4th run-up was Atlantico's Yuliana Claudeth Mejia Restrepo.

TOP 10 SEMI-FINALISTS:

* Cesar - Stefany Giraldo Pino

* Guajira - Daniela Margarita Vega Mendoza

* San Andres, P. y S. C. - Laura Archbold Rodriguez

* Magdalena - Adriana Lucia Vidal España

* Tolima - Karol Ximena Quintero Sanchez

SPECIAL AWARDS:

* Queen of the Police (Reina de la Policia): Atlantico - Yuliana Mejia Restrepo

* Best Body (Figura Bodytech): Cauca - Maria Alejandra Valencia Guerra

* Best Face (Rostro Jolie): San Andres, P. y S. C. - Laura Archbold Rodriguez

* Oster Challenge (Desafio Oster): Norte de Santander - Marisela Arevalo & Valle del Cauca - Carmen Lucia Aldana

* Miss Punctuality (Señorita Puntualidad Edox): Tolima - Karol Quinterto

* Miss Elegance (Señorita Elegancia Primatela): Cesar - Stefany Giraldo Pino

* Best Regional Costume (Mejor Traje Artesanal): Atlantico - Yuliana Mejia Restrepo

* Zapatilla Real: Meta - Margarita Maria Peralta Tovar

* Miss Photogenic (Señorita Fotogenica): San Andres, P. y S. C. - Laura Archbold Rodriguez

* Miss Congeanilaty (Mejor Compañera): Cundinamarca - Sthephanie Aldana Vanegas

25 beauties competed in the pageant which was broadcasted live by RCN TV and hosted by Andrea Serna, Carolina Cruz and Catalina Robayo. Evening's entertainment courtesy of Franco De Vita, Jorge Celedon, Santiago Cruz and Debi Nova.

Meet the Entry of Netherlands in Miss Universe 2012

22 year old Nathalie Den Dekker from Amsterdam was appointed to represent Netherlands in the upcoming Miss Universe 2012 competition on December 19 at the PH Live, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

Standing 5'6" tall, Nathalie works as a lawyer and considered as a beauty pageant veteran. She was among the Top 15 semi-finalists in the recently concluded Miss World 2012 contest. She was also the titleholder of Miss Tourism International 2010 held in Malaysia, and represented her country in Miss Supranational 2010 in Poland.

See who is Vietnam's bet to Miss Universe 2012

Handpicked by Unicorp and been approved by the Ministry of Culture of Vietnam, 22 year old Luu Thi Diem Huong from Ho Chi Minh City will be the country's official delegate to Miss Universe 2012 which will be held on December 19 in PH Live, Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

Standing 5'9" tall, Luu Thi is former Miss World Vietnamese titleholder, a competition made for women of vietnamese descent worldwide. She was also a semi-finalist in Miss Earth 2010 contest held in Nha Trang.

In Vietnam, all representatives to major international beauty competitions must be approved by the Government.

Dimitra Markou - Miss Earth Zimbabwe 2012 Profile

Dimitra Markou

Miss Earth Zimbabwe 2012

BIO:
Age: 18
Height: 5'7.5"
Weight: 114lbs.
Vital Stats: 33"-26"-35"
Hometown: Bulawayo

INTERVIEW:

What environmental project will you create to promote the protection of Mother Earth and why?
1. A cleaner environment begins with reducing, reusing, and recycling. Our recycling depots are no longer operational and intend to revive these depots by obtaining sponsors as Miss Earth Zimbabwe.
2. Zimbabwe has lost 20% more of its forest cover between 1990 – 2005. I will participate in a tree planting campaign: A tree for every child.

What makes you proud of your country and what can you promote about it?
Zimbabwe has several tourist attractions. One being the eastern highlands which are a series of mountainous areas near the border of the Mozambique. The highest peak inZimbabwe, Mount Nyangani at 2593 meters is located here as well as the Brumba Mountains and the Nyanga National park. Zimbabwe is unique in Africa in that there are large numbers of ancient ruined cities built with a unique style on dry stone. One of the most famous is the great Zimbabwe ruins situated in masungo. Other ruins include the Khami Ruins, Dhlo-Dhlo and Naletale. However none of these ruins have received as much publicity as that of "Great Zimbabwe". The Matobo Hill is an area of granite Kopjes and Wooded valleys commencing some 35 kilometers south of Bulawayo. Southern Zimbabwe. The hills were formed over 2000 million years ago with granite being forced to the surface, this has eroded to produce smooth whaleback Dwalas and broken Kopjes, strewn with boulders and interspersed with thickets of vegetation Mzilikazi. Founder of the Naebele nation gave the area its name. The Matobo Hills is also a popular tourist attraction as Cecil Ochn Rhodes and most of the members of the Shangani patrol are buried in these hills. By volume, "Lake Kariba" is the largest man made lake and reserve in the world. It is located on the Zambezi River, about half way between the rivers source and mouth, and about 1,300 kilometers upstream from the Indian Ocean, there are a number of fish species, Nile crocodiles, Hippopotamuses, game fish, Tiger fish, fish Eagles, and other whales as well as elephants all around the "Lake Kariba" which falls within Zimbabwe has been designated a recreational park within the Zimbabwe parks and wildlife estate.

Describe your childhood/growing years:
My parents divorced when I was two years old and I look back and realize that life is not always constant but we have the diary to change the journey and make it our own. I grew up with my mother and father and migrated to Cyprus at the age of 8. I have a very strong bond with my mother. I look up to her and consider her as my role model. She taught me to be fearless, and to love and not to cry. From an early age she installed in me the belief that we all must serve a purpose in life. One of my favorite quotation: "What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived, it is what difference we make to the lives of others that determine the significance of the life we lead" – Nelson Nandela

What lessons did you learn from your childhood/growing years?
The greatest lesson my mother taught me was to have self respect, to respect the people around me regardless of their situation, culture or beliefs and to respect the environment and animals around me. You cannot expect to be treated with respect if you show none to others. You cannot show respect if there is none within you. It was from an early age that I learned to respect the environment around me. I believe that it doesn't matter who you are or where you are from, you still have the power to make a difference, an impact.

What is your most memorable moment?
I have a spontaneous and adventurous spirit and my goal in life is to celebrate and live each day to the fullest. My life is filled with many memorable moments, some deeply sad like remembering the poem I wrote and read at my grandmother's funeral and my parent's divorce when I was age two. My happy moments are being announced a prefect at my high school and being chosen to represent the Natabeland provincial teens team. My most memorable moment is being crowned as Miss Earth Zimbabwe 2012. All these has molded me into the person I am today. And I am looking forward to a life full of memorable moments that I will create with my Miss Earth title.

What is your environmental advocacy and why did you choose it?
As Zimbabweons we are survivors and have a history of revitalizing and recycling used items. A project I have been working on for several years now is self sustainability. I have introduced the usage of solar concerns made from recycled materials. We used block tapes reverse sides of crisp packets, and recycled cards. I have introduced them to born urban and rural areas. Other projects of mine consist of reviving waste depots, planting a tree for every child, and I pledged with Wildlife organizations in my quest to eradicate poaching of wildlife.

What tip can you share to promote sustainable energy for all?
Change begins from ground level if households can implement changes in their everyday activities and the following will create a great positive change in the environment: 1. Separating and recycling rubbish, 2. Solar energy usage 3. Use of rechargeable batteries 4. Energy saving light bulbs 5. Switching off appliances at the wall when not in use 6. Conserving water 7. Using eco – friendly cleaning agents.

Other information that you would like to share with the Miss Earth Management:
My mother instilled in me from a young age that I must live a life of purpose. When the opportunity for me to participate in the Miss Earth pageant came it was a fulfillment of that outlook on life. I chose to be part of the Miss Earth pageant as one of the women who is proud of her inner and outer beauty. With Miss Earth I am able to be a positive role model to the people inside and outside of my community. To win Miss Earth would give me the privilege to save Mother Earth.

* Back to the Official List of Candidates
* See also Miss Earth 2012 Special Coverage

Zoe Jade Kinsella - Miss Earth Wales 2012 Profile

Zoe Jade Kinsella

Miss Earth Wales 2012

BIO:
Age: 20
Height: 5'5"
Weight: 110lbs.
Vital Stats: 34"-24"-31"
Hometown: Cardiff
Profession: Model

INTERVIEW:

What environmental project will you create to promote the protection of Mother Earth and why?
Choosing a single issue to focus on is difficult. I feel they are all linked and are all important for the prosperity of the earth. However, I strongly believe that we need to stop viewing our earth as a land of finite resources and start treating it as something precious that needs our protection. This is why I would like to create a project to promote and help develop renewable energy. Energy from renewable resources such as wind, water, the sun, biomass and geothermal energy is clean, and most importantly, inexhaustible. Investing in cleaner more renewable energy sources reduces the burning of fossil fuels for energy and helps in creating jobs, promoting economic growth for both developed and developing countries. Decreasing the dependency on burning fossil fuels for energy reduces the amount of CO2 polluting oceans and free radicals that are responsible for our depleting Ozone layer.

What makes you proud of your country and what can you promote about it?
Dwi'n falch o fod yn Gymraeg – I am proud to be Welsh. Being Welsh is all about passion, pride and the love we have for our families, we are a people steeped in tradition and culture. Whether it is the continuing growth of our national language, celebrating our culture at our national Eisteddfod festival which dates back to the 19th Century, or 74,500 rugby fans singing the national anthem on an international day at the Millennium Stadium, it is not just the people that help make Wales what it is. The picturesque coastlines of Pembrokeshire and the breathtaking sights from the Snowdonia make Wales home to a plethora of sights you are unlikely to see anywhere else. This is something I can testify to myself. Being born and raised in Pembrokeshire, I now live in the vibrant, multicultural capital city of Cardiff, which is a contrast to the natural beauty of my hometown. Wales is also pioneering the way in eco-friendly policies, by being the first country in the United Kingdom to introduce a tax on plastic shopping bag usage. This policy was introduced to promote the use of environmentally friendly alternatives to plastic bags, which are often harmful to the environment and nature. Pleidiol wyf i'm glad – True I am to my country.

Describe your childhood/growing years:
My childhood years between the ages of eight and thirteen, was a time of mixed emotions, unfortunately tainted by loss and upset. My parents separated when I was four years old and it was not until I was older that I truly came to understand the consequences of this. It led to a lot of time shared between both parents, and a lack of family feeling. However, my mother remarried and I was fortunate enough to be given a sister when I was 8 years old. The introduction of my sister, and the support of my step father, helped create a family unity which had been missing from my childhood. This supportive family, which I had begun to rely upon, was there for me when my Nan passed away. She had been a mother figure to me when my actual mother was going through the difficulties of the divorce. When I was eleven I started secondary school, a time that began unpleasantly, due to being subjected to bullying. The bullying was nasty, hurtful and caused me to question my self esteem and confidence. My way of dealing with the negativity I was faced with was to immerse myself in my studies and sports. For this I am grateful because success in these areas has allowed me to appreciate what really matters.

What lessons did you learn from your childhood/growing years?
I learned many important lessons from my childhood. The first lesson came from the separation of my parents, where I learned that I had to adopt a more mature and positive outlook, as I had to interact with social services, court officials and other people in various positions of power. The death of my nan taught me that life is short. It must not be taken for granted, and in turn, we must make the most of it. The final lesson I learned was not to let the words of others affect me, which came as a result of being bullied. I found confidence in myself to be the person I wanted to be and go after the things which made me happy as a person. Ultimately, I learned that I must believe in myself.

What is your most memorable moment?
My most memorable moment would be undertaking a charity skydive which was in aid of a charity both my mother and I established in memory of my late nan. The experience was amazing, with my most vivid memory being the feeling of falling through the sky at such high speeds. When the parachute opened we began to float to the ground, the views where incredible. It is nothing like I have ever experienced before and I will never forget it.

What is your environmental advocacy and why did you choose it?
Choosing a single issue to support is difficult, as I feel they are all linked and are all important to the prosperity of the earth. However, I strongly believe that we need to stop viewing our earth as a land of finite resources and start treating it as something precious that needs our protection. This is why I would like to promote and help develop renewable energy. Energy from renewable resources such as wind, water, the sun, biomass and geothermal energy is clean, and most importantly, inexhaustible. Investing in cleaner more renewable energy sources reduces the dependency on burning fossil fuels for energy and helps in creating jobs, promoting economic growth for both developed and developing countries. Decreasing the dependency on burning fossil fuels for energy reduces the amount of CO2 polluting oceans and free radicals that are responsible for our depleting Ozone layer.

What tip can you share to promote sustainable energy for all?
Think global, act local. The planet needs us all to pull together in the same direction and this begins at home, with each of us making sure we are only using forms of sustainable energy. If each of us sign up to this, this will eventually lead to a world powered by sustainable energy. This highlights the need to think about these issues on a global scale whilst doing all we can at a local level.

Other information that you would like to share with the Miss Earth Management:
I would like you to thank you for this incredible opportunity that I will treasure for the rest of my life.

* Back to the Official List of Candidates
* See also Miss Earth 2012 Special Coverage

Osmariel Villalobos - Miss Earth Venezuela 2012 Profile

Osmariel Villalobos

Miss Earth Venezuela 2012

BIO:
Age: 24
Height: 5'8.5"
Weight: 118lbs.
Vital Stats: 34"-24"-36"
Hometown: Maracaibo
Profession: Talent

INTERVIEW:

What environmental project will you create to promote the protection of Mother Earth and why?
Sun powered desalination plant, to produce fresh water, which is more scarce everyday, without generating chemical or consuming fossil energy. Close to 70% of the earth’s surface is covered by water but only 2.5% is potable. The advantages of a solar desalination plant is that it can be used in low income populations and it does not damage the environment because it uses renewable energy without liberating gases that create greenhouse effect. Speaking only about my country, close to 6,000,000 people live near the coast and only 16% have constant access to fresh water.

What makes you proud of your country and what can you promote about it?
The fact that we have created national parks for every type of environment in a country that has snow, mountains, desert, tundra, savana, rainforest, delta and tropical coast. Even though we produce oil there is a big movement to use solar energy in heat generating processes. We have at least one national park in every state and we are the second country in Latin America with national parks for a total of 15.

Describe your childhood/growing years:
My childhood was a bit of a summer camp because we were many brothers and sisters so we had to do everything together. My father couldn’t be up to every little thing in our lives so I had a lot of independence.

What lessons did you learn from your childhood/growing years?
I learned to make my choices as an individual and to share as part of a group. If you ask me, I had the perfect balance.

What is your most memorable moment?
When I traveled to Scotland to learn English, away from family and friends. I learned very early that I had the values and endurance to be by myself with total freedom and responsibility.

What is your environmental advocacy and why did you choose it?
The FAO estimates that in 2025, 18 million people will be living in areas where water shortage is drastic. It is an opportunity to use desalination plants to reduce this terrible statistics, and at the same time use clean energy. The goal is to promote the use of a solar desalination plant created and tested at the Universidad Simon Bolivar in Caracas, Venezuela. The requirements of the project demanded that this requires minimum maintenance. This is easy to replicate, low cost, easy construction and desconstruction, transportable and able to be used in any coast. No matter how much salt there is, the water process to create a kilogram of fresh water requires the same amount of heat energy when it is done using processes that require a change in the state of the water (such as freezing or mechanic compression). In other means desalination that don’t require a change of state in the water, like inverse osmosis use too much energy. That is why using a simple plant that has a minimum number of parts, and that uses eveparotion to produce fresh water, and has salt as a byproduct is a clean energy way to produce fresh water.

What tip can you share to promote sustainable energy for all?
One of the biggest energy consumers is our home when it comes to heating or air conditioning. The uses of biomass heating elements instead of coal, gas or wood would reduce the consumption of non renewable energy. The advances in home design taking advantage of heat from the sun, even in winter to apply external radiators that help to reduce the use of fossil fuel to heat homes. Summer is the opportunity to explores new designs in windows that help to keep fresh our homes without air conditioning. Passive acclimatization requires that we make our homes as energy efficient as we can.

Other information that you would like to share with the Miss Earth Management:
Coming from an oil producing country I think I have a great responsibility to the Earth and in the exploration of renewable energy.

* Back to the Official List of Candidates
* See also Miss Earth 2012 Special Coverage

Carolyn Whitney Carter - Miss Earth US Virgin Islands 2012 Profile

Carolyn Whitney Carter

Miss Earth US Virgin Islands 2012

BIO:
Age: 22
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 105lbs.
Vital Stats: 32"-24"34"
Hometown: Christiansted
Profession: Instructor and Model
Notes: Competed in Miss World 2010, Miss Supranational 2011 and Top Model of the World 2012

INTERVIEW:

What environmental project will you create to promote the protection of Mother Earth and why?
The environmental project that I have been committed to is creating a sustainable community garden. This project began at home with my family, where my passion for gardening originated through my grandmother's love and knowledge of plants. This summer I invested time with our local community kids to build an organic, sustainable garden from scratch. Together we plowed the land, built raised garden beds, got donated topsoil from a farm, and planted the seeds of crops that will grow well in tropical climates. We invited a local organic farmer to guide us in sowing seeds, transplant tiny plants, planting in the beds, and harvesting. The children learned all the important steps in creating their own self-sustaining garden. Currently, I work with them to maintain the gardens, rotate crops, harvest, and give out samples to our community families. Learning to produce our own food is an important step for our community! The packaging waste, the nonrenewable energy used by transportation, and the unrecyclable materials left over from importing goods to our islands can all be reduced through food production in our own backyards using our sustainable resources, the sun and water! I believe this is the new direction our country is headed in effort to protect our environment and reestablish harmony between our people and nature.

What makes you proud of your country and what can you promote about it?
The US Virgin Islands is comprised of multiple islands, each with a distinct personality. St. Croix is our Country, St. Thomas is our City, St. John is our National Park and Water Island is our Playground! Each island has its own unique experience to offer, it all depends on what you're looking for! With a lush rainforest and mainly flat landscape, St. Croix has an agriculturally based economy. The ambiance is laid back and easy, making it an ideal place to farm, retire or raise a family. St. Thomas is known for its booming commercial industry, animated culture and mountainous terrain. There is a constant buzz in the downtown area with tourists, cruise ships, and natives enjoying the waterfront shopping and dining. Water Island is located off the coast of St. Thomas, and has an amazing sunken boat attracting divers from all over the world to play in the water. St. John is considered rural compared to its neighboring islands because a majority of it is nationally preserved. Here you will find the pure, untouched gem of the Caribbean with its lush forestry, sandy white beaches, and crystal blue waters. Many celebrities find St. John the picturesque island, and an impeccable place to get married. There are so many extraordinary attractions for tourists to experience when they visit our beautiful islands: a visit to the interactive aquarium Coral World, a special night experience at the beach to observe the endangered leatherback turtles return home and lay their eggs, eco-tours through preserved lagoons, bioluminescent kayaking tours at night, boating day trips with snorkeling and beach barbeques, camping sites along beautiful beaches, world-class diving experiences, historic plantation tours, tasting the famous rainforest-grown-seven-fruit smoothie, a slow-cook dinner at a local organic farm in the mountains, a visit to the beach named Top 10 in the world from National Geographic, and so much more! Our US Virgin Islands are predominately a tourism-based economy. The unique experiences that we create for our visitors rely heavily on our natural environment, which is why it is extremely important for us to preserve our islands by reducing our waste and converting to sustainable methods of energy and food productions.

Describe your childhood/growing years:
My childhood years were spent following my dreams. I have had an interest in so many activities: flying airplanes, swimming, cooking, playing the piano, painting, modeling, interior design, science, acting, and more. My younger years were spent pursuing each interest, with the love and support from my family. I believe childhood years are meant to explore and get in touch with our inner selves, so that when we grow older we can develop and fine tune our talents.

What lessons did you learn from your childhood/growing years?
The most important lesson I learned from my childhood years was to be open and exposed to as many experiences as possible. Always sieze an opportunity and never let fear hold you back. Personal growth can only occur when you take a risk and are open minded when life happens to you. Taste different food, strike up a conversation with the new person at school, or try a new activity! Maybe you can make a best friend or find a new hobby. You never know unless you try. Pushing ourselves to experience and stretch our limits helps us to understand who we are, find strength, and be comfortable in our own skin.

What is your most memorable moment?
I was raised by my mother and step-father, and one of my most memorable moments in my life was being reunited with my biological father. It was a really heartfelt experience with a lot of emotion and excitement involved. It was one of the most intense moments in my life.

What is your environmental advocacy and why did you choose it?
My environmental advocacy is sustainable food production within our local community. I chose this because it is a personal passion that I have been involved in long before I was crowned, and it happens to tie into to this year's Miss Earth Theme: Sustainable Energy. I believe organic sustainable gardens are a unique twist on this year's theme, because not only does it involve renewable sources of energy (wind, sun, water) to grow the plants, it also produces rewarding renewable energy for humans (lettuce and vegetables!) and all plant/soil waste can be reused through composting for further gardening! It is a beautiful cycle, and 100% sustainable ecosystem that benefits communities on all size scales throughout the world. The advantage of our small Caribbean island being self-sustainable helps reduce our waste output and save our natural environment.

What tip can you share to promote sustainable energy for all?
An interesting tip! Solar panels and wind power mills are a pricey investment on the front hand, however if you crunch the numbers, it is by far a sound investment (financially and eco-friendly) in the long run! In the US Virgin Islands, we have a unique system for water collection called a "cistern." We collect rainwater from the roof, and save it beneath the house for all of our water usage! Down here, it is well known that we 'save' water by being conscientious of how many times we run the dishwasher and washing machine, and always keep an eye on the water usage during a shower and through the faucet. A great idea is to set a barrel outside and use the collected water to irrigate your garden! A way to introduce sustainable energy to families in your community is to involve the kids in a project, such as a solar pizza oven! When children are excited about sustainable energy and protecting the environment, the enthusiasm reaches the parents! Workshops that teach families simple tips to conserve energy around the house and have a more eco-friendly household will benefit not only the environment, but will impact the future generations and the entire community as a whole.

Other information that you would like to share with the Miss Earth Management:
A few years ago I was introduced to a documentary that changed my life, "Food Inc.". This informative film shed light on the issues we face as a community with our food industry. In our country, we are battling food labeling, GMO vegetables, and poisonous pesticides in almost all of products and food we consume. It became very important for me to personally investigate and raise awareness of the potentially dangerous products that corporations and government programs deem "safe". I believe that everybody deserves the right to understand what they are buying and eating, and to at least be given the chance to make a healthy decision for their own body. In light of this discovery, I began researching organic products and companies that have taken initiative to remain as true to nature as possible. It is very important to me that we all realize the impact that the harmful chemicals used in products we lather our skin in, soak our hair in, and put into our body everyday have not only a permanently destructive and nonreversible effect on our environment, but also on the health of our bodies. It is a great joy to realize that everything our bodies need to survive has already been created by Mother Earth, in its most perfect most healthy state for us to use. My passion for returning "back to our roots" drives my passion for gardening and teaching children about the wonder of Mother Nature. If everyone feels the beauty and harmony of our environment, we will have an amazing worldwide generation of children fighting for the protection of our Earth.

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* See also Miss Earth 2012 Special Coverage

Siria Ysabel Bojorquez - Miss Earth USA 2012 Profile

Siria Ysabel Bojorquez

Miss Earth USA 2012

BIO:
Age: 19
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 126lbs.
Vital Stats: 34"-25"-36"
Hometown: El Paso
Profession: Student/Community Service Organizer
Notes: World Miss University 2011

INTERVIEW:

What environmental project will you create to promote the protection of Mother Earth and why?
A project that I have already been working on for a number of years now is helping spread the idea of upcycling. This is something that affects all levels of the environment from the depletion of the ozone to the destruction of forests because of littered cigarettes. I want the US and the World to change their views on the things they throw away and upcycle. By continuing to go out there and give presentations and spreading the idea of turning what is considered “trash” into everyday items I hope to set a spark of realization into people’s minds; not to take what we have for granted but to use everything as much as possible and that taking care of the planet can be a simple profitable action. I want people to know that caring for mother Earth is not only our responsibility but it’s doable and fun.

Describe your childhood/growing years:
I always recall my childhood years with great feelings of fondness for they were much like those of any other average American girls. Barbie dolls, princesses and pink easily come to mind. The memories I cherish the most come from these years, not because of pink and glitter but because it is during these years that I hold the most memories of my late mother. It is during these years at an early age that I learned some of life’s hardest lessons, lessons that have shaped me into who I am today. The realization that we are not on this planet forever is something I try and remember daily. It was during these years that I discovered what I wanted to do with my life. As I watched my mother, I realize that one does not live forever and while I am on this planet I want to do just like what a nurse does, to give back and help others.

What lessons did you learn from your childhood/growing years?
I learned many things throughout my childhood including being determined, caring, and a hard working. I watched my mother every day as she went off to work in order to help others despite being more susceptible to illnesses because of it. Watching her want to help others is what inspired me to do the same. One thing that my grandmother and mother always emphasized was to never let anything go to waste. Coming from a very humble background I am accustomed to ensuring that nothing, whether it be food or a physical object be taken for granted. I have my childhood to thank for this important lesson. It is through this lesson that upcycling has impacted me so much. I was never allowed to let an item or food go to waste or throw away a toy simply because it no longer worked. We could not afford wastefulness. We found creative ways to ensure that every single thing we had was utilized as much as possible, a habit I believe should be practiced by everyone around the world.

What is your most memorable moment?
From getting my International Baccalaureate Diploma to being crowned Miss Earth United States and WMU at only 19 I am blessed with the most amazing memories! If I am to choose one however I would have to say it would be one of the first times that I went to go volunteer at the Rescue Mission, a homeless shelter in my home town. Here I met a young man that has forever changed my outlook on life. He was 17, just like me at the time and I believed he was a volunteer. He stopped by to introduce himself and we eventually became friends. My most memorable moment is the one when I discovered that my friend was not a volunteer but a resident at the homeless shelter. After weeks of talking his smile and hopefulness never would have made me guess that he was going through so much. I carry the moment I discovered he was homeless with me forever. It is a constant reminder to never complain about my own difficulties and instead be like Blaze, smile, be hopeful and carry on.

What is your environmental advocacy and why did you choose it?
One word, Upcycling. When I was 15 years old my grandma and I stumbled upon a pencil case made out of my favorite disposable juice containers and I have been obsessed ever since. The name of the company that produced this pencil case is Terracycle. This company was started by a college student with no funds and takes items that would usually end up in landfills into items that can be used in everyday life. Throughout these past couple of years I have gone to different places throughout my country to help spread the idea of upcycling. I was even honored enough to get to share this idea with girls from all over the world and the UN in South Korea. The reasoning behind my platform is simple, it is something that I believe touches every area of the environment and it is a simple solution to many of our problems. It is a creative idea that every single person can do and it has no negative aspects. I believe that if change is going to be made (which it is) it needs to start with the individual and upcycling is exactly that- individuals doing their job to help our environment. This is what will ultimately help our planet and make an impact.

What tip can you share to promote sustainable energy for all?
Be responsible and take responsibility for this planet and everything and everyone in it. Insist that change is possible and everything can run on sustainable energy. Encourage the implementation of renewable energy, technologies like solar panels and wind turbines by reaching out to government officials. Some may feel that major changes like these are out of one’s control but everything begins with the individual. Take the time to learn about sustainable energy and learn how to incorporate it into your everyday life. Little things like changing from one kind of light bulb to another can make a HUGE impact! Throughout my years as an environmental advocate I have found that many take for granted the energy we have. This planet belongs to all of us, so take the stewardship view and care for it. Ensure that we will have energy for generations to come.

Other information that you would like to share with the Miss Earth Management:
I am strong believer in the “beauties for a cause” message. The Miss Earth organization has truly changed my life. I have gone from a person that was known for simply recycling to one that is automatically thought of by friends and family when thinking of what it means to be green. I am honored to take part in this pageant. I understand that these banners are a voice. They allow us to show others that through hard work, a good heart, intelligence and persistent dedication we can and will make an impact on this planet and all of its inhabitants. I would like to thank you for giving me and my fellow delegates such an amazing opportunity. At the end of the day it is all about giving back.

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* See also Miss Earth 2012 Special Coverage

Cynthia Kutscher - Miss Earth Uruguay 2012 Profile

Cynthia Kutscher

Miss Earth Uruguay 2012

BIO:
Age: 23
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 118lbs.
Vital Stats: 33"-24"-35"
Hometown: Salto
Profession: Model

INTERVIEW:

What environmental project will you create to promote the protection of Mother Earth and why?
I would promote and do many environmental campaigns to make people aware of the serious problem we are having today.

What makes you proud of your country and what can you promote about it?
I’m proud of my people. They’re gentle, kind and they’re very respectful. I’m also proud of the beauty of my country and its tourist attractions. I can’t live without Uruguay, my beautiful and peaceful country. In Uruguay, there are no earthquakes, war or anything like that. It has scenic and beautiful landscapes and places. The people are so warm. Uruguay gives us opportunity to study and is one of the best places in the world in terms of academic excellence. There are also plenty of job opportunities. I will describe some of the most beautiful cities in my country: I will bring you to Salto, Montevideo. Maldonado Salto have baths and rest houses. The Salto Grande Dam has an access to the river where people go fishing, swimming or boating. It’s also popular for its citrus, blueberries plantations and the Tannat grape vineyard. Montivedio as you know is the capital of Uruguay. It is the most populated place in the country with so many buildings. It has beautiful beaches. It’s also the center of fashion and education. Maldonado is the summer capital of the country. Tourists go there for its beautiful beaches and varied landscape.

Describe your childhood/growing years:
I had a happy childhood. I am very lucky that I was well loved and well provided. My parents are always there to support me and it made me a very responsible being. I also value honesty. These made me who I am today. I’ve learned to enjoy life but also learned to be responsible.

What lessons did you learn from your childhood/growing years?
Parents should inculcate the values, culture, tradition and concept of family to their children. Parents should always spend time with their children. Children should be treated as children, letting play but of course, values should be taught to them, so that they will grow into responsible adults.

What is your most memorable moment?
My proudest moment would be being named Miss Earth Uruguay for 2012. It was a fulfilment of my brother’s dream. It’s unexpected and I’m very proud of it. I also consider the time when me and my family still live abroad as one of the best moments in my life. We were so happy and were very close.

What is your environmental advocacy and why did you choose it?
Uruguay is a small country in South America. It has magnificent history, beautiful nature, magical shores and very friendly people. We are surrounded by neighbouring Argentina, Brazil and the Antarctic Ocean. The Uruguayan speaks Spanish and our people are crazy about football. Our people love food, wine, nature and our culture. Despite being a small country has beautiful landscapes, and has a bit of everything, people are very friendly and would not trade it for the world!

What tip can you share to promote sustainable energy for all?
I would promote and do many environmental campaigns to make people aware of the serious problem we are having today.

Other information that you would like to share with the Miss Earth Management:
The most important thing is to not take your dreams for granted, keep fighting until you achieve them. Nothing is `impossible, sometimes we struggle to get what we want to go but in the long run we always achieved, with effort and dedication.

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* See also Miss Earth 2012 Special Coverage

Ilknur Melis Durasi - Miss Earth Turkey 2012 Profile

Ilknur Melis Durasi

Miss Earth Turkey 2012

BIO:
Age: 22
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 130lbs.
Vital Stats: 35"-24"-35"
Hometown: Istanbul
Profession: Teaching Assistant

INTERVIEW:

What environmental project will you create to promote the protection of Mother Earth and why?
The human population increases everyday and this leads to the slow depletion of our natural resources since these resources are exhausted irresponsibly to meet the needs of the human population without being replaced. This lack of respect for mother nature caused permanent damage in our environment which led to air pollution, flash flooding, deforestation/forest fires, illegal hunting, ozone depletion and the like. Therefore, we should be aware of the importance of our relationship with nature which should not be destroyed for the sake of selfish needs. We should ask ourselves the question: “Do we know what happens to the waste of any kind of energy by product in this global consumer-oriented world?” My project will be to answer this question by creating an awareness of how each individual can contribute to smarter living. My project will be based on establishing balance between human society and mother earth. Today’s technology solutions in communication and transportation facilities should benefit both nature and human society. Hence, a humane environment for the present and future generations must be established by giving attention to small details concerning our environment. My project will be the following:
• Promoting the segregation of refuse collection including urban and special wastes,
• Putting up a water treatment facility for urban sewage,
• Planning energy conservation through the use of alternative sources(renewable sources, green hydrogen, mini hydroelectric power plant, heat produced from biomasses),
• Controlling electromagnetic, noise pollution, light pollution,

What makes you proud of your country and what can you promote about it?
It is not an easy question for me to answer because the Turkish nation has many characteristics that makes me proud of my country. Being a fan of our history, I will start with how my nation fought a War of Independence against the Allied powers and accomplished victory by the strength of the men’s nationalistic consciousness and the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk who was also the first president and founder of the Republic of Turkey. The Turkish War of Independence was the last time Atatürk and Turkish nation used the military in dealing with other countries which greatly explains the foreign policy of Turkey that is still adhered to up to this day: “Peace at home and Peace in the world”. The second and the most important feature of my country that makes me really proud is the importance they give to education. I believe that education can resolve any problem in society permanently. For me education is the key to address any form of difficulty in the world. The major role to educate the society belongs to the women. Women are capable enough to educate our generations because of their significant and difficult role as mothers. I will give an example of the importance of the education of women in preparation of their role in society with a quote of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk : “The social change can come by educating capable mothers who are knowledgeable about life” . Beyond these, I admire a lot of things about our nation like the people’s hospitality, the natural wonders, the importance of family and the preservation of our cultural and traditions. Rest assured that, when you come to visit Turkey you will experience a unique culture and witness the wining natural wonders of the world and the people’s hospitality. These are the reasons that made me a proud, strong and well educated woman of my country. I am very happy to be the one of the delegates representing the Turkish nation in the MISS EARTH pageant.

Describe your childhood/growing years:
I grew up in a modern nuclear family of four who were connected to each other by love. My family was always together spending most of the time with each other. That is why I had a childhood with happy and so much unique memories which enabled my personality to develop in a healthy environment. As a kid I had always been like a grown-up with piles of books around me, excited to finish reading them as soon as possible. I cannot forget what an energetic and lively girl I was. I remember the days when I was running all the time from one place to another, sometimes playing football with my brother and his friends in the garden. Due to these different personalities I became one of the best setters of a famous Turkish volleyball team – Fenerbahce in the professional volleyball league of ages 10-15. I also received an honorable mention at a short story contest for high schoolers even when I was just an elementary student.

What lessons did you learn from your childhood/growing years?
During my childhood years, I learned the importance of family and of culture and tradition I was raised in. Those aspects of my childhood enabled me to be the strong, modern, responsive and a determined individual I am today. These taught me how important it is to ‘give’ than to ‘receive’. I learned the importance of sharing and giving support to any living creature. I learned that being a decisive, hard-working person is the only way to accomplish my dreams and goals. Simply, I learned the meaning of being human and the art of living on this planet and I’d to share these emotions with others.

What is your most memorable moment?
Last year I had the chance of running my first marathon in the San Francisco Women’s Marathon. It was important not because it was my first marathon but because the running environment was awesome. There were around 22,000 women runners of different cultures, countries, age groups aside from the men who are running to support their wives, daughters, girl friends and sisters. Running the marathon was hard time for me because despite the very long distance and I had no one to boost my spirits or cheer me on to not give up. When I suddenly felt dizzy and thought about not completing the marathon, an old lady around her 60’s came to me with a big smile on her face and said “Come on!! You can’t stop, you are so young and you should be the one to complete this marathon not me, you already finished the half of it, come on!!=))”. When I continued running, I realized that everybody was supporting each other during the run like that and everybody kept running. That is when I realized how important it is to be one in achieving common goals and how important it is to have that mentality. That experience gave me a new perspective in life. That is why it is one of my most memorable moments.

What is your environmental advocacy and why did you choose it?
All environmental issues are important for me but I prioritize the importance of water for living creatures since 80% of the earth and 60% of our body is water, so in other words water is life. My country is surrounded by seas and rich in water resources. I support the protection of the coasts, seas and water resources and aim to increase the awareness of the masses through the execution of exemplary projects and activities. In fact all problems of mother earth are connected with each other and developments in one area will contribute to the others.

What tip can you share to promote sustainable energy for all?
My tip would be that to increase awareness and education about daily living and the importance of using technology in our daily lives. For instance, turning off the tap while you brush your teeth can save 19 liters of water daily. If one is aware of the conservation of water and energy, its transportation and refining and of course the money for garbage segregation (paper, plastic, glass, organic and metal materials) the amount of waste sent to the garbage lands will be reduced by 75 percent. Even using motion detectors to switch on/off the high energy consuming devices in public areas like air conditioners or street lamps will conserve energy.

* Back to the Official List of Candidates
* See also Miss Earth 2012 Special Coverage

Amryl Nurse - Miss Earth Trinidad & Tobago 2012 Profile

Amryl Nurse

Miss Earth Trinidad & Tobago 2012

BIO:
Age: 22
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 134lbs.
Vital Stats: 34"-26"-37"
Hometown: Chickland
Profession: Student

INTERVIEW:

What environmental project will you create to promote the protection of Mother Earth and why?
The environmental project that I will create to promote the protection of mother earth is educational workshops throughout my country with the assistance of the environmental management authority, the government and the corporate “green” community of Trinidad and Tobago in order to emphasize all of equal importance which are: the economics, the environment and the social responsibility of all, to better understand that there must be a symbolic relationship between man and mother earth if we are to “change” the world for the better to live and to leave a strong legacy behind for our children. To also teach others that mother earth sustains all livelihoods, and that we must respect her, protect her, cherish her and most of all love her.

What makes you proud of your country and what can you promote about it?
I am most proud of my country of Trinidad and Tobago! I am proud of how our country with a population of little over one million with such diversity in culture, religion and traditions live in UNITY and partake of each other’s culture and cuisine. I am proud of how charming, welcoming, warm and friendly our people are. We are a very persistent and loving group who are most helpful to others and continue to excel in our academics, beauty and sporting activities. I am proud that our people work industriously and diligently to forge our footprint in today’s world in numerous fields, mostly the MISS EARTH PAGEANT. Another aspect apart from our people is the abundance of natural fauna and flora that makes our country a paradise on earth. Mother Earth has blessed us with an enormity of exotic birds and animals that cannot be found in any other part of the world, namely being the endangered Pawi that is found in our Northern Range. One other fundamental aspect that I am most proud is how our people are so sensitive and are working most industriously and diligently to implement measures to protect our environment. The process is one that is taking its time but as time goes by one sees the imprint on the shores of our country, as we are reaching out to our people to educate and sensitize them. I am proud to see and learn that schools are so enthusiastic about celebrating World Environment Day with projects and creating works of art with everyday “trash”. Our people, both young and old regardless of color, creed, bond together as one to ensure a safer and better place for our very own and visitors alike. I am most proud of my beautiful, sweet T&T!

Describe your childhood/growing years:
I am able to gratefully say that I had a very pleasant childhood, filled with lots of love, laughter, fun and so many precious memories. Through my growing years my parents always allowed my brother and I, {who are closer in age}, the freedom of expression and choice to do what we needed to find ourselves. I found the things that made me happy and so I have a lot of beautiful memories that I am very grateful for. My parents and grandparents were always very supportive of me and always encouraged me to focus and be determined to always do my best in everything even during my pre-adolescent years. I must mention the childhood friends that I made during those days who still remain really close to me. When I remember my childhood, I think of outrageous stunts, punishment, jokes, funny moments and family that never left my side.

What lessons did you learn from your childhood/growing years?
I have learned the importance of a complete family and a support system. I have learned that everyone is different and has views and opinions in everything. I have learned that everywhere you go people you may meet along that journey may or may not like or treat you equally and that there will always be people trying to make you feel insecure. I have learned further to not listen to negative remarks and idle minds and that in being a positive role model I have to be consistent in my quest to be the BEST AMY and persevere and be constructive no matter what obstacles and challenges I encounter. My mother {now deceased} taught me that tangible valuable lesson of doing what you love to make yourself happy because no one is going to do that for you. My father taught me that failure is just an opportunity to see where you went wrong and correct it next time. Having God as part of your life is integral for your grounding as well. Learning these things so early in life has made me the humble person that I am today.

What is your most memorable moment?
My most memorable moment would have to be winning the title Miss Earth T&T and being able to represent my country on an international level at the Miss Earth Pageant 2012. Mainly because I feel exceptionally great, when I can make others happy and make family, friends and well wishers proud. This is my greatest opportunity yet, as I am challenged to become a better young woman and role model, all for a dynamic cause. This helps me to be the greatest that I can be and become comfortable in the person that I have become, through the influence of my parents, family, friends, experience and drive.

What is your environmental advocacy and why did you choose it?
My environmental advocacy is general environmental education. I have a deep passion for saving our trees, the very reason for our existence. Trees are vital to every man, woman, child and animal for everyday survival. Though they remain silent when hurt, their cries falls on deaf ears and persons like us 'The Earth Warriors' listen and remain true to our cause. I believe in utilizing technology for the overall efficiency for all. I intend to use this opportunity to spread the message by encouraging developing countries to embrace sustainable e-solutions in a simple manner to reduce costs, and reduce their environmental impact. I wish to also encourage as being one of the Brand Ambassadors and Spokesperson for an environmental company to raise funds and to also utilize the monies raised for a community/school to foster stronger commitment for the preservation of Mother Earth.

What tip can you share to promote sustainable energy for all?
I can tell everyone that knowledge is power, that is a gift that no one can take away from you once given, so we need to seek to be educated and take action in knowing that the earth is ours and without it, we have nowhere to live. Thus it is necessary for everyone to know sustainable energy sources and know how they can use them more efficiently and effectively on a daily basis, within your own environment and by extension, the world because these are the things that are going to enable a long lasting, ever providing earth.

Other information that you would like to share with the Miss Earth Management:
I am very honored to be able to be a part of such a pageant, promoting such a righteous cause that needs to be dealt with and made a priority throughout the world. People are not quite aware of how much damage one person can do to the earth and this is the right time, with all the economic and social development, to ensure that environmental and sustainable development take place as well. I am working very hard with my National Director to ensure that our people of Trinidad and most importantly the Government of my country are much more aware of this unique and worthwhile international pageant. I am proud of what our country is doing to promote greater sustainability and I am so proud that we have laws in place to help govern our land with regards to the environment.

* Back to the Official List of Candidates
* See also Miss Earth 2012 Special Coverage

Waratthaya Wongchayaporn - Miss Earth Thailand 2012 Profile

Waratthaya Wongchayaporn

Miss Earth Thailand 2012

BIO:
Age: 19
Height: 5'7.5"
Weight: 103lbs.
Hometown: Hat Yai
Profession: Student

INTERVIEW:

What environmental project will you create to promote the protection of Mother Earth and why?
Keep rivers and lakes clean.

What makes you proud of your country and what can you promote about it?
I am proud of our Thai tradition. Thai people are humble and friendly. Thailand has its own language both in spoken and written. It represents our Thai identity. Thai language is melodious. I will try to bring Thai culture to the stage of Miss Earth.

Describe your childhood/growing years:
My childhood was like any other children’s at the ages of 8-12. During the day I went to a primary school, played with friends and had fun. When I became 13 there was a slight change in my life. I had to decide where go to a secondary school. It was the first time that I had an opportunity to make my own decision. I decided to move to live with an aunt who lived in other town and go to school there. I have to adjust myself to the new environment, new family, new school, and new friends. Everything went well, I was happy and had a lot of fun. I even took apart in a beauty contest of the school and won a prize which aroused my enthusiasm in joining other school’s activities.

What lessons did you learn from your childhood/growing years?
Being a child from a broken home I’ve learned to take care of myself and be responsible for my younger brothers and sisters. I am a tough and a tolerant person. Life has taught me to be independent and make the best out of it. I try to give my best no matter what I do.

What is your most memorable moment?
The time during the Miss Universe Thailand pageant was most memorable. I got to know new friends. Friendship among candidates was valuable, and I was able to make experiences that I would not have had in my ordinary daily life. My family and friends were even prouder of what I had achieved at the pageant. I hope I will be able to make them happy and proud once again in Miss Earth.

What is your environmental advocacy and why did you choose it?
My project is to keep rivers and lakes clean. The inhabitants on river banks should learn to keep garbage and sewage away from water as water means life. Unfortunately there is only 3% clean water on earth which is too few compared to the population of the earth and amount of water we need in daily life. If we are not aware of keeping water clean we will one day be short of clean water.

What tip can you share to promote sustainable energy for all?
In my opinion we should try to promote renewable energy which is purer and can be gained from the nature. It is friendlier for our environment. This way, the energy we have may last longer and some of the environment problems are solved.

Other information that you would like to share with the Miss Earth Management:
I wish there are more information and support in Thailand and other countries to protect our environment other than planting more trees. It will help us to keep the environment healthy and solve problems we have today.

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* See also Miss Earth 2012 Special Coverage

Bahati Chando - Miss Earth Tanzania 2012 Profile

Bahati Chando

Miss Earth Tanzania 2012

BIO:
Age: 20
Height: 5'5"
Weight: 110lbs.
Vital Stats: 32"-24"-35"
Hometown: Dar es Salaam
Profession: Executive Assistant

INTERVIEW:

What environmental project will you create to promote the protection of Mother Earth and why?
➢ A campaign against the use of plastic bags and to encourage the recycling of paper bags, an awareness campaign in households on proper garbage disposal and a campaign to invite tourists to visit destinations like the Ngorongoro crater, in order to raise awareness of the importance of preserving such environment and wildlife against deforestation and poaching, and that our fellowmen may appreciate the vast amount of resources we have.

What makes you proud of your country and what can you promote about it?
I’m proud of the ‘peace’ we have achieved in our country and I believe we can bring this peace to the neighboring countries. Tanzania has over 120 ethnic tribes, a mixture of cultures and religion but despite the diversity it is one of the most peaceful nations in Africa blessed with abundant natural resources and wildlife. It makes me proud to say that I come from a land of loving people. Tanzania is the only place on planet earth where one can find Tanzanite, a gemstone which is said to be 1000 times more rare than diamonds. The Ngorongoro Crater (the largest intact Caldera in the world) which is part of the Ngorongoro conservation area is one of the wonders of the nature. Some of the famous national parks and game reserves in Tanazanian is the Serengeti National Park and Saadani National park – which was declared as a game reserve in the year 2002 and is maintained by the WWF. It is the only reserve in East Africa with the Indian Ocean as one of its boundaries. Wild animals can be seen basking in the sun along the Indian ocean shores. I would love to invite you all to Tanzania to witness mother nature at its best and the inherited culture of my forefathers which I am also proud of. With sufficient investment and proper knowledge we can transform our vast resources wisely and benefit our country.

Describe your childhood/growing years:
My childhood was different from most Tanzanians since I spent it in Ethiopia learning a new culture, language and values. I lived in an environment that kept me grounded to my roots. I grew very close to my mother and she became the most influential person in my life. I hang out with older friends and I get into trouble every other day since I was a very mischievous child. However, I did manage to be the perfect little girl my mom expected me to be. My teenage years were my happiest and most treasured years because I made a lot of new friends. And even though I have moved back to my homeland, my best friends are still the ones based in Ethiopia.

What lessons did you learn from your childhood/growing years?
My principles in life were established during my childhood. My mother has been a role model to many. She taught me about women’s values and how to be independent. I have managed to accomplish most of my goals through patience, hard work and the family values that I have been taught. Lastly, I have learned to love life and share a smile with everyone.

What is your most memorable moment?
The most memorable moment of my life was the year I turned 14 at my very first house party attended by high school students. It was like my pre-sweet sixteen birthday celebration. However, since it was a secret house party I had to get my mother out of the house and this got me into trouble with her after. Despite my irresponsibility my mother forgave me and we reconciled. This event has made me realize that my mother will always be there for me and give me the guidance I need.

What is your environmental advocacy and why did you choose it?
In the city of Dar es Salaam, misuse of plastic bags and the mismanagement of solid and liquid waste have become an issue which the municipal council are trying hard to resolve. Therefore, my advocacy is to address this issue throughout the country by replacing plastic bags with recycled paper bags and generate funds to provide better toilets to manage liquid waste properly I chose this advocacy because plastic bags pose a threat to livestock since they are not biodegradable. Cattle have died by eating these bags. I also chose to address the proper management of liquid waste because it is the source of water pollution and many diseases such as Cholera and Malaria.

What tip can you share to promote sustainable energy for all?
My tip to promote sustainable energy is to conserve water and electricity in our homes and workplaces. Shorten your shower period by cutting off just two minutes from your shower time to save water. Put your computer in "energy saving mode” to minimize energy consumption. Switch off your computer screen when you are away from your desktop to conserve more energy than just letting the screen saver run. Turn your computer off when not in use to save 25% from your annual energy bill. Put your television on standby mode to conserve more electricity than leaving it switched on when no one’s watching. Put a lid on pots and turn down the heat when the water boils to shorten boiling time and reduce energy consumption. For short trips just walk or bike instead of using cars.

Other information that you would like to share with the Miss Earth Management:
Einstein once said, ‘Imagination is more important than knowledge, For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.’ George Savile said, ‘A man who is master of patience is a master of everything else’. I would like to combine the use of imagination and the virtue of patience with hard work to project a positive image of myself at the Miss Earth pageant and achieve the goals I have in life. If we give our best at everything we do anything can be achieved. I would also love to see the beautiful places in the Philippines. It will be my first time to visit an archipelago and I look forward to learn your rich culture.

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* See also Miss Earth 2012 Special Coverage

Lea Sara Wittwer - Miss Earth Switzerland 2012 Profile

Lea Sara Wittwer

Miss Earth Switzerland 2012

BIO:
Age: 21
Height: 5'5.5"
Weight: 119lbs.
Vital Stats: 34"-26"-33"
Hometown: Bern
Profession: Nurse and Tailor

INTERVIEW:

What environmental project will you create to promote the protection of Mother Earth and why?
My project will be to rely on renewable energy and to convince those countries to find renewable energy alternatives to nuclear power and to prevent destruction of Mother Earth by stopping deforestation and promoting monoculture. We have to be able to live in happiness on this beautiful planet, and I want to be a role model for the youth to protect and save the planet. My personal goal is to help the hungry people. These people have nothing and I want to give them the chance to help themselves. So its,"Help people to help themselves." This means that training in different places and creating jobs. My heart beats for others, and I want to help however possible!

What makes you proud of your country and what can you promote about it?
I am proud of my country because we have already done, for example by a small step, recycle 80% of PET without mortgage I want to build in the Miss Earth Switzerland Organization an awareness of the environment and sustainability. I am proud that we have good education to encourage young people and offer them a future in which they want to have.

Describe your childhood/growing years:
I was a child who kept on moving and could never sit still. I was always outside playing, climbing on trees in the forest or out driving around on a bicycle. I played football at the playground, and was always active. My mother could not keep me indoors. My parents broke up when I was 8 years old. It was sad but it made me strong.

What lessons did you learn from your childhood/growing years?
I had to grow up early and take a lot of responsibility for my younger sister. I helped my mom a lot when she was feeling bad. I think there my empathy for other people awakened. Sometimes it's still difficult to talk about it because it was not always easy, but when I look at my life, it's so good to me. Other people have nothing against me. So why should I complain?

What is your most memorable moment?
It was when I won the Miss Earth Switzerland, because I saw the opportunity to make the world a better place. I really had a great time with the many women and we could do much good. I fondly remember this moment! I've seen a lot of great moments and much of it from my childhood when I saw the world differently from today. I watch the plants as they grow, hear the birds singing, watch the tadpoles swimming and a lot of these things.

What is your environmental advocacy and why did you choose it?
I am for renewable energy and for the conservation of species. I want to stop forest clearing and save the countless tropical forests and rainforests and don't go for monoculture. We can stand together instead of standing alone, together for tomorrow. Our Mother Earth is badly abused and we need to try to resolve and tackle all her problems together! It cannot go on like this. I want to use my strength for the needy people. It breaks my heart when little children starve, or go blind or die from diseases.

What tip can you share to promote sustainable energy for all?
It does not take much effort to act on something. It is so important that everyone is doing something, to promote sustainable energy because we can! I already have a project in Switzerland addressing solar energy, and we can already achieve great results with little effort. I want to speak from my heart and be a role model to inform people about the state of the world and of nature!

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* See also Miss Earth 2012 Special Coverage

Camilla Hansson - Miss Earth Sweden 2012 Profile

Camilla Hansson

Miss Earth Sweden 2012

BIO:
Age: 23
Height: 5.7.5'"
Weight: 117lbs.
Vital Stats: 34"-25"-35"
Hometown: Stockholm
Profession: Real Estate Broker

INTERVIEW:

What environmental project will you create to promote the protection of Mother Earth and why?
My environmental project "Healthy You. Healthy Planet" is about encouraging people to think about what they eat and where the food has been sourced from. We should try to eat local and seasonal food wherever possible and increase our intake of fruit and vegetable, avoid processed food, eat sustainably sourced food and buy products with recyclable packing or as little packaging as possible to help the planet. The good news is that food that's healthy for us is generally healthy for the planet to eat too. I am encouraging people to have a diet that's good for health reasons as well as environmental reasons. The other big issue with our food consumption is food waste, which has a big negative impact on the environment because of the methane gas it releases when the food rots, so I'm raising awareness and educating people on how to waste less. This will benefit our planet as well as our own pockets if we can waste less food. By giving practical advice on how to reduce food waste and choose our food responsibly I am hoping to inspire other people to make a difference as well. I have volunteered for the Swedish church collecting leftover food from coffee shops in Stockholm which they haven't been able to sell which we then give to homeless people. That's one way we can reduce food waste by giving it away to the people that need it instead of wasting it.

What makes you proud of your country and what can you promote about it?
What makes me proud of Sweden is that there is a sense of equality among everyone whether you are a man or a woman and regardless of your class you are treated with the same respect and have the same opportunities in the society. We have one of the best welfare systems in the world with public healthcare and schools being free. We are also one of the healthiest countries in the world where eating healthy and exercising comes naturally to many people. We have vast recycling programs in place where we encourage people to recycle and reward them for doing so, which in turn makes recycling accessible and easy in Sweden. Conscious about protecting our environment almost half of the energy we are using in Sweden is renewable, and few other countries have as high goals in renewable energy consumption as Sweden.

Describe your childhood/growing years:
I grew up in Stockholm, Sweden's capital city, a beautiful place with water all around it and astonishing architecture and nature. I felt very safe growing up there as a child and the quality of life we had there as a family was very good. I went to a private school and my parents were strict with teaching me good mannerism and how to behave with respect towards other people. Apart from getting a lot of love from my parents they also gave me a lot of freedom when I was growing up which made me very independent and I learned from an early age how to take care of myself without depending on anyone else. On weekends my father used to take me away from the city and we'd go to the countryside where we'd go fishing and long walks in the woods, spending most of our time outside which is where I grew to love and appreciate the beauty of our nature and the environment which we live in.

What lessons did you learn from your childhood/growing years?
I learned that family is the most important thing in life. That no matter what happens you always have your family to get love and strength from. Strong families encourage each other in life and support each other. Because we were a family of 5 I also learned that you have to share with other people and not be selfish and to look after one another. And even today in one's hectic schedule I always prioritize my family first and take time off to spend quality time. I also saw that the mother is the one who keeps a family together; she is the heart of a family. And I learned that the best way to raise your children as a parent is by leading by example and to be a role model whom your children can look up to which is what I intend to be the day I have my own children. But the most important thing which I learned is how to practice the Christian faith which is where I get all my strength from.

What is your most memorable moment?
When I went to Senegal, Africa when I was 18, I remember I hadn't seen such poverty before and it was really an eye opener to see how some people live in difficulties and struggle throughout their lives. It made the small problems that I had in my life feel insignificant. And also, I saw how some very poor families still looked happy even though they didn't have much so I believe it's all about how you feel inside that matters and creates your happiness, not the worldly things and possessions.

What is your environmental advocacy and why did you choose it?
I want to encourage people to start thinking and take responsibility for the food that we consume. The way we eat has a massive impact on the planet. One of the problems we face today is that we waste too much food in the western world and food waste has a serious negative impact on the environment. The other issue I want to raise awareness about is for people to think about where the food we consume comes from. The good thing is that generally what is healthy for us people to eat is also healthy for the planet. It helps the environment if we buy food that is both local and seasonal wherever possible, as well as thinking about cutting down on processed food, and buy certified and sustainable produce with recyclable packaging. By doing some easy practical things in our daily lives we can waste less and eat more healthily which will benefit the planet's health as well as our own health.

What tip can you share to promote sustainable energy for all?
Our population is becoming bigger and bigger and we require more resources and more energy. But the way we are using our energy resources today is not sustainable for the planet. We need to find alternatives for cleaner energy. The first thing we should do is to stop wasting energy. When we start to use energy more wisely it will be easier to create a more renewable energy system. It is also a political issue to make sure we put up goals and take actions for our own country to make it cleaner and better for the planet. Renewable energy is our planet's future.

* Back to the Official List of Candidates
* See also Miss Earth 2012 Special Coverage