Miss Seychelles Kelly Mary Annette calls on President Ramkalawan |26 December 2020

The beauty queens in a souvenir photograph with President Ramkalawan (Photo: Jude Morel)

Newly crowned Miss Seychelles 2020 Kelly Mary Annette, first princess Shannen Henrie and second princess Elsia Françoise paid a courtesy call on President Wavel Ramkalawan at Sate House on Thursday morning.

First Lady Linda Ramkalawan and Vice-President Ahmed Afif were also present for the meeting.

Miss Annette, Miss Henrie and Miss Françoise were accompanied on the visit by two members of the organisers of the pageant, the newly formed organisation ‘Beauty Empowerment Seychelles’ secretary Samina Morel and vice-chairperson Margaret Raguin.

President Ramkalawan congratulated Miss Annette on winning the Miss Seychelles National Pageant and commended the 10 contestants of the 2020 pageant for their courage and confidence to join the pageant.

He described them as leaders in their respective fields and urged them to engage with partners and the community to ensure they make a positive contribution in the community.

Miss Seychelles National Beauty Pageant was held at the International Conference Centre (ICCS) on December 7, 2020, organised by ‘Beauty Empowerment Seychelles ’.

The President also thanked the organisers for grooming the contestants and making sure that the pageant is not merely a beauty competition but rather a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

Miss Annette took the opportunity to explain to President Ramkalawan more on her project for the pageant which is devoted to the psychological and emotional well-being of semi-orphans and single parents, especially those whose loved ones have passed away.

The Miss Seychelles delegation thanked the President for welcoming them to State House and shared with him details of their respective projects and the contributions they would like to make for the benefit of Seychelles.

Miss Annette, an economist by profession with the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Trade, who also won the 'Miss Talent' title, which was one of 10 additional awards presented during the pageant, will be representing Seychelles at the next Miss World beauty pageant.

Miss Annette is also now the face of MADO, the main sponsor of the Miss Seychelles National Pageant.

First princess Henrie’s project involves empowering boys and girls to feel comfortable about their skin colour including embracing the colour of their hair and therefore to accept themselves as they are, while second princess Françoise will be working to empower the youths to be more compassionate.

In a short interview with the press after their meeting with President Ramkalawan, the three beauty queens said that they were very happy to have met with the President and to share with him their experiences and also their projects.

They also said they were very happy that President Ramkalawan has taken an interest in their projects by offering his full support.

They said the President has also urged them to seek help from others for the success of their projects.

Patrick Joubert