A young teen who always wanted to know what it felt like to be in the spotlight got her dreams fulfilled when she was recently crowned Miss Teen 2005.
Sixteen-year-old Kamala Murugesu beat six other contestants to earn the crown and title.
Attending every Miss Teen contest, Kamala said, ‘I always wanted to know what it would be like. I wanted to know what it felt like, winning, and having all the people in front of you cheering you on.
‘I was hoping to win but if I did not win, I would not have felt too bad, I would have just said the experience was good, it was a lot of fun and try another pageant.’
Kamala said it was only after answering her question that she felt she had won the contest.
‘I went backstage all smiles, feeling that I had done well.
‘Walking down the stage after winning Miss Teen, I was laughing because I saw all of my friends waving and cheering and everyone shouting I told you so.’
Kamala said all she could say to herself was, ‘I am really Miss Teen.’
‘When I got home, the family all came over to the house and back at school on Monday all my friends congratulated me.’
Training for the contest was a little intense at times but Kamala said she took it all in stride, made some new friends along the way and gained a lot experience by entering the show.
Being a performer and liking the stage, Kamala felt that entering the contest would be easy for her.
In her final year at John Gray High School, Kamala is often on stage, whether it is performing in Broadway Class Act plays, playing the steel pan or flute, or singing and dancing.
She said encouragement from friends and family who said she had the brains, beauty and personality to win the contest, made her go for it.
After talking it over with her mom, Kamala filled out the forms on-line.
She was called for an interview and then to attend practices.
‘Not everyone got along at first, but as time progressed and we got to know each other, we became like sisters.
‘During practice we were taught how to walk, speak in public, put on the right make-up and etiquette.
‘Only the last week of practice was really hard because we had to be there every night.’
Besides enjoying the experience Kamala said she won a scholarship, photo-shoot, cellular phone, gym membership and lots of gift packages.
For her peers who would consider entering the Miss Teen pageant, Kamala said it is fun.
‘I would like for other girls to have the same experience and fun that I did because it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to become an ambassador for your country.
‘If you have the confidence, you know you look good, and have the brains then I would encourage other girls to go out there and do their best and they can get a lot of rewards from it.’
For the whole year, Miss Teen will be attending various functions when called on.
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