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Subject: I support Peter Author: smurfgyrl [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: Sunday, December 14, 02:20:13am Author Host/IP: EATcf-677p71.ppp15.odn.ne.jp/220.212.33.71 From the Newsday. And I dont blame Peter. Enough is enough Trinidad and Tobago’s Gabrielle Walcott was yesterday crowned second runner-up at the Miss World 2008 contest at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa. But even while ecstatic in her victory, local franchise holder Peter Elias told Newsday that this was the end of the road for him. He said, “What joy, what joy, what joy! This is one of the proudest moments in my life. When Gabby won the ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ contest and I saw the Trinidad and Tobago flag featured in her piece I felt so proud of TT. I’m proud of my team and Gabby’s effort. It was a long hard road but we succeeded. All is great but this is the end of the road for Peter Elias. I’m going to pass on the baton to someone else. I feel proud to have contributed to my country over the years and the feelings I felt today I want it to stay with me for the rest of my life.” On the Miss World stage Walcott carried herself with grace and charm, looking absolutely regal as she was announced winner of the Beauty with a Purpose award. Beauty With A Purpose is an event established in 2001 that is celebrated during the activities prior to the Miss World pageant. It awards the contestant with the most relevant and important charity project in her nation. A short video was shown of Walcott’s work with the Just Because Foundation which supports children suffering with or recovering from cancer at the Paediatric Speciality Centre at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope. Gabrielle’s work was highlighted and broadcast to two billion viewers in 187 countries. The world was shown that while working with those children Walcott decided to create more hospitable conditions for them since the facilities were not adequate. She helped raise about $100,000 in charity for the creation of a new children’s ward. Bobby Ackbarali who is in South Africa with the TT team had his moment of pride when the gown that Walcott wore was a finalist for the World Designer Award. Eventually beauties from 109 countries were whittled down to 15 semi-finalists with Trinidad and Tobago being the second country to be called after India and before Angola, Russia and South Africa. Since 2005 the Beauty with a Purpose winner automatically makes the semi-finals but Miss Trinidad and Tobago World 2008 went a step further as she is the first and only winner to place in the top three. Asked what makes her the best delegate for the Miss World title Walcott quoted from former South African president, Nelson Mandela stating, “A good mind and a good heart form a wonderful combination”, and from her own father who she said always told her “to whom much is given much is expected”. Walcott stated that she had that mind and heart and was prepared to give her all. Then just before the announcing of the results Miss TT was asked about her South African experience leading up to yesterday’s final. She said, “I came here a girl, I will leave here a woman.” Julia Morley, CEO of Miss World then named Miss Trinidad and Tobago second runner-up, India first runner-up and Russia’s Kseniya Sukhinova, Miss World 2008. The 21-year-old blue-eyed blonde and 58th Miss World beauty takes over from Zhang Zi Lin of China. [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

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[> Subject: And the Minister had this to say Author: smurfgyrl [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Sunday, December 14, 02:21:22am Author Host/IP: EATcf-677p71.ppp15.odn.ne.jp/220.212.33.71 Culture Minister praises Gabrielle Sunday, December 14 2008 Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs, Marlene McDonald, yesterday conveyed the gratitude of the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago to the Miss Trinidad and Tobago Miss World delegate Gabrielle Walcott, for being chosen the second runner-up in the 2008 Miss World Competition. In a release issued yesterday McDonald noted Walcott’s achievement in copping the first place in the “Beauty with a purpose” segment of the competition, and also noted that Walcott’s gown was the second place winner in the “World Designer Award” for her evening gown. She stated that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago remains conscious of the tremendous opportunity afforded by the Miss World pageant for the promotion of our country and the development of delegates like Miss Walcott as possible role models for our young women. McDonald then said, “As in previous years therefore, the Government provided the financial support necessary to assist in enabling our delegate to not only prepare herself, but to compete and produce results such as that which we celebrate today and of which the country takes immeasurable pride.” When Newsday spoke with franchise holder for the Miss World and Miss Universe competitions, Peter Elias earlier he said, “Peter Elias and Associates is grateful for whatever support we have received from the Government; however, support has been our greatest challenge of all.” It is public knowledge that Elias has had to struggle to get promised support over the years. This year was no different in that the first installment from the government was received one day before Miss Universe representative Anya Ayoung-Chee left for the competition. By that time Elias had spent more than that first $100,000. preparing her for competition. Other financial support came in August and late November, after Walcott already left for South Africa causing a strain on preparations. Eventually the government gave approximately two-thirds of the budget necessary to have delegates properly represent this country. Nevertheless McDonald said, “The Ministry again encourages the private sector and the national community in general, to partner with the franchise holders in respect of future competitions and, in particular, the provision of assistance to local charities selected by future delegates.” The Ministry, on behalf of the Government took the opportunity to again applaud the efforts of Elias and Associates, for their continued efforts in preparing our delegates for the competitions. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]