New Miss Bermuda encourages youth to achieve their goals

The reigning Miss Bermuda sent a message of hope and determination to the island’s young people.

Representing St George’s East, Jana Lynn Outerbridge took the top accolade at the 2011 Miss Bermuda Pageant held at the Fairmont Southampton Resort on Sunday night.

Speaking to the Bermuda Sun as she stepped off the stage — overwhelmed with joy but with but with tears in her eyes — the top girl said:

“I definitely want to make sure that I have an impact on all young women and all young men — I want to let them know that whatever they put their minds to, they can achieve. I want them to know they should never settle for less and always push themselves constantly forward, whatever obstacles come their way.”

The 22-year-old gave an example of how she has achieved this in her own life: “I was fortunate to receive my GED — I actually don’t have a traditional high school diploma. It was almost a step back for me because I didn’t feel that I was able to continue on and now I am a university graduate who’s aspiring to be a psychologist.

“No matter what happens to you or whatever situations you go through you can always accomplish something and I hope I will be able to send that message to our young people.”

Miss Outerbridge, who seemed to attract the most applause from the crowd throughout the evening, will now go on to represent the island on an international level at the Miss World Pageant.

She said that ever since she had heard of the Miss Bermuda Pageant, she had wanted to “become that woman”.

“This is such an amazing experience. Everyone — wants to win but to actually be sitting there and to experience this is truly out of this world.

“I’m extremely grateful to everyone that supported me.”

Miss Outerbridge recently received her Bachelor of Science degree from Tennessee State University and is a Cabinet Office intern. She is hoping to pursue clinical psychology. She is said she is determined to bring any skills she gains back to the island.

“I want to be able to make sure I can get the experience necessary and the skills necessary to help Bermuda and to make Bermuda a better place.”

Miss Bermuda said she wants to make the most of holding the title by being extremely active in the community: “I wouldn’t want to be someone who just has a crown on her head and isn’t visible in the community.

“Any time I can speak or have an influence on people — if it’s a mom or dad who wants me to speak to their child just to see if I can help them, that’s the person I want to be and that’s the Miss Bermuda I want to be.”