Agnes Gerry is Seychelles’ new beauty queen |27 May 2013

Agnes received her crown from Miss Seychelles…Another World 2012 beauty queen Sherlyn Furneau at the end of the colourful contest which took place in an ideal setting with a stunning backdrop.

Seven out of the 14 beautiful ladies, all dressed in stunning evening gowns, waited on the catwalk in suspense for the jury’s final verdict.

Isha Hoareau was crowned first princess and won other titles such as Miss Personality and Miss Photogenic. Her prizes included a variety of vouchers, air ticket, weekend for two, iPad 2, diving programme, dress, Balinese massage, and bouquets, among many others.

Lindy Barallon, who was also the winner of the ‘People’s Choice’ award, was crowned second princess, winning a number of prizes such as air ticket to South Africa, cash and dinner vouchers.
The title for best evening wear was won by Francesca Lablache.

During the pageant, the 14 contestants paraded in their evening gowns, casual wear and beach wear.
The panel of jury then chose seven out of the group for the final.

The finalists - Rohanna Adelaide, Lindy Barallon, Agnes Gerry, Isha Hoareau, Francesca Lablache, Angelle Quatre and Nikitta Nourrice - then responded to questions from the jury.
As the young ladies were preparing themselves, the audience viewed a video of the contestants’ journey leading up to the beauty pageant which showed that the contest is not just a parade of external beauty but also to advocate that beauty is with a purpose.

The audience was kept entertained by popular local artists such as Jean-Marc Volcy and Joe Samy as well as young prominent ones. There were also dance performances.
MCs Dereck Savy and Michelle Marengo also enthralled the crowd with their amazing voices.

In a short address, the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) chief executive Elsia Grandcourt said the new beauty queen will be an ambassador representing the country not only at the upcoming Miss World competition to be held in Indonesia, but also at main international trade fairs and other STB events.

Agnes and the other two princesses’ presence at national events will add great flair, value and meaning there, she added.

Before crowning the new beauty queen, Sherlyn expressed words of thanks to all those who had supported her throughout her journey as Miss Seychelles 2012.
She described it as an amazing and life-changing experience.

Speaking to journalists after being crowned, Agnes said she did not expect to win as the competition was tough.
The new beauty queen added that all the other girls are winners in this contest.

Among her prizes, Agnes won air ticket from Air Seychelles, night stays at hotels abroad and in Seychelles sponsored by resorts across the country, designer evening dresses and accessories for Miss World pageant, iPad 2 and R10,000 sponsored by Airtel, mobile and package from Cable and Wireless, dinner vouchers, bouquets, one year full membership by X-Trim Fitness and many other prizes.

The evening was graced by the presence of first and second princesses of last year’s pageant Shanice Hoareau and Natasha Robinson, and foreign beauty queens Natasha Suri, Miss India 2006 and Miss La Reunion 2012 Stephanie Robert.