"Like a dream" - Miss Smiths is Miss Bermuda 2013 (update with video)

Miss Bermuda 2013 Katherine Arnfield is likely to be sitting her at school desk today.

The 17-year-old Saltus Grammar School student was crowned Miss Bermuda last night at the Fairmont Southampton in front of a large crowd in the Mid-Ocean Ampitheatre.

She will be heading to Indonesia next month to compete in Miss World.

She wore a beautiful cream dress dipped in gold sparkles with a matching necklace and earrings.

Speaking after her win, Miss Bermuda said: “I still can’t believe it. It feels like a dream. I feel so lucky.

“I never, ever thought that I would get this far.”

Asked if she had any indication she would in, she said: “None at all becaue we had all brought so much to the table and the competition that I expected it to be anybody’s game.

“I never actually thought it would be mine. This is so amazing.”

First runner-up was Ms Hamilton Parish, Echaunti Swan followed by Miss Pembroke Chelzea Somner, Miss Southampton Denae Simmons and Miss Warwick Alexandra McMartin.

The event began at 8pm with the contestants performing a choreographed dance wearing identical black dresses with silver shoes.

The contestants then took the stage to introduce themselves and the parish they were representing.

MCs for the evening were Patrina Paynter, also known as Power Girl and Nadanja Bailey.

They didn’t hesitate to provide entertainment and laughs for the crowd the whole night.

Judges included Teresa Perozzi, Dr Chris Johnson, Diane Whittaker, Gita Blakeney-Saltus, Marc Daniels and Kelly Hall, Miss Bermuda 1993.

The pageant also featured a slew of entertainment including the Bollywood Kids who were absolutely amazing.

Dem Biez were next, performing an acoustic-style R&B medley that got the crowd going.

Evening wear followed as the girls came out in beautiful gowns. Both Miss Sandys and Miss Pembroke wore gorgeous red gowns.

Miss Southampton wore a custom yellow dress while Miss Warwick and Miss Devonshire wore blue.

Miss Hamilton Parish wore a cream gown with red accents.

Powel Girl interviewed the contestants with questions about their hobbies, interests and career goals.

The very talented Olivia Hamilton performed for the audience, singing ‘Dangerously In Love’.

That was followed by Nadanja doing a Luther Vandross rendition, much to the applause of the crowd.

The best entertainment for the evening in my opinion had to be Kion Simmons, a Bermudian living in Boston who returned home specifically to perform at the pageant.

He sang Cee-Lo Green’s ‘F**k You’ but said Forget instead of the expletive.

He also performed an old Luther song, ‘Here and Now’.

Not to be outdone, Power Girl decided she just had to sing and came to the stage with an iPad with the lyrics of ‘I Will Survive’.

She sang with such conviction that she scared Nadanja, forcing him to run away from her more than once.

The contestants were then asked one question each by the judges.

Questions varied from who inspires you and why, what’s better wealth or health, what would you do to promote Bermuda on an international scale and what would you say to someone who thinks Bermuda is a tax haven with shady business.

The final question was given to Miss Smith’s who knocked it out the park with her answer.

Before the winner was announced, awards were given to the contestants.

Miss Hamilton Parish won Miss Hospitality and Miss Congeniality.