Re: ۞✧✧✧ROAD TO MISS UNIVERSE 2018✧✧✧ ۞

**bonner** Thu Nov 01, 2018 10:48 pm

JAMAICA

Emily Sara-Claire Maddison

Emily Sara-Claire Maddison is a recent high school graduate who embarked on an unpredictable journey leading to fulfilling opportunities. Every day, she awakes with a new purpose in life and a drive outside of the conventional school related thoughts she had been so adjusted to. Her involvement and passion in the Girls Who Know Jamaica Organization has fueled her confidence and overall growth. Emily continues to take it upon herself to offer support and guidance to young girls who may not have been as fortunate as she was growing up. Emily hopes to make her country proud at this year's Miss Universe competition.

**bonner** Thu Nov 01, 2018 10:51 pm

JAPAN

Yuumi Kato

Yuumi Kato, 22 years old, was born in Japan and raised in Malaysia. Yuumi has a very unique background and had many challenges growing up with an underprivileged background. She was required to stop formal education at the age of 13 and was sent to a remote island in Malaysia to survive on her own. There, she had to forage for food in the jungle and sea. At the age of 14, she struggled to fit into society without any formal education. She had to work to support herself and her family. As a result, she became independent at an early age and was able to stand up to society's prejudices. After experiencing a lot of hardship and having to overcome many fears, she wants to share her story of never giving up in any challenges, big or small, and to have the power to believe in ourselves. With her experience she wants to spread the message that women can empower themselves around the world as well as support children in poverty.

**bonner** Thu Nov 01, 2018 10:53 pm

KAZAKHSTAN

Sabina Azimbayeva

Sabina Azimbayeva would describe herself as athletic and always involved in sports. Travel is a passion of hers as Sabina often visits remote villages where applied art of her people are preserved. She wants the creativity of her people to be known to the whole world. Sabina hopes to make her country proud at this year's Miss Universe competition.

**bonner** Thu Nov 01, 2018 10:55 pm

KOREA

Ji Hyun Baek

Ji-Hyun Baek is a multi-talented super model and singer with a master's degree in Saprano. Ji-Hyun is currently training to become a pastry chef and barista so she can eventually open her own desert cafe. When she's not working on her craft, she likes to stay active through cross country cycling. Ji-Hyun is an avid philanthropist who is an active supporter of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, for the past 6 years.

**bonner** Thu Nov 01, 2018 10:59 pm

KOSOVO

Zana Berisha

Zana Berisha was born in Suharek, Kosovo. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Business Management at Kosovo University after graduating high school. Zana enjoys trying new things, especially foods from different cultures. She dreams of being a world-known influencer for women rights, race, and gender equality. Zana aspires to become the first ever representative of Kosovo to make it into the top finalists at Miss Universe.

**bonner** Thu Nov 01, 2018 11:01 pm

KYRGYZSTAN

Karybekova Begimay

Begimay Karybekova graduated from the secondary school in her village where there is not many opportunities to study foreign languages. She overcame that barrier leading her to successfully graduate college in MUK. Now, she is a student of IUK. The last 5 years she had do many new things in her life, she learned foreign languages, studied for driving, and participated in beauty competitions. Begimay is activiely engaged in volunteering and travelling, while simultaneously working as a model. This year in the history of Kyrgyzstan, Begimay Karybekova will participate for the first time. She hopes to make her country proud, while competing on a global stage.

**bonner** Thu Nov 01, 2018 11:02 pm

LAOS

On-Anong Homsombath

On-anong Homsombath graduated with a bachelor's degree in International Relations. She works for an Intergovernmental Organization and volunteers as an English teacher. She has passion in cross-cultural understanding and social work. From a young age, On-anong had participated in many cultural and educational exchange programs in the United States, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, Hungary and Norway. At the age of 18, On-anong won the best social work project for economic development of ASEAN society at Youth Southeast Asian leader Initiative (YSEALI) 2014 in Malaysia. As a member of the Lao Youth Union, she has conducted social contribution activities to improve the educational accessibility of children in rural part of Laos. She wants to become a qualified social worker; therefore, she aims to pursue her Master's in Social Work. She plans to encourage people to participate in civil engagement in addressing social problems.

**bonner** Thu Nov 01, 2018 11:05 pm

LEBANON

Maya Reaidy

Maya Reaidy is a fifth year pharmacy student in the Lebanese American University, and has completed 2 years of psychology prior. She speaks four languages fluently - English, Arabic, French, and Russian. Maya enjoys reading psychology and Ayurveda lifestyle, and is a very active person who enjoys all kinds of sports especially yoga. One of her passions is traveling and meeting new people through volunteer work. She embraces travel that allows her to speak in different languages as it helps her understand ethnicities and cultures better. If she takes home the crown, Maya would use her title as a real sustainable movement for the women in the Middle East as well as bring awareness to the special needs population. This change would tackle issues from serious topics regarding sexual harassment to more simple problems such as bringing awareness to basic laws women should be aware.

**bonner** Thu Nov 01, 2018 11:07 pm

MALAYSIA

Jane Teoh

Born and bred on the island of Penang, the Northern tip of Malaysia, Jane Teoh had always aspired to have big dreams of achieving great things in life. She keeps herself busy by walking the runway circuit in the local modeling scene in Malaysia. Besides modeling, Jane is a second year student studying to become an accountant. She enjoys dance and is currently picking up contemporary dance. She feels strongly about saying no to cyberbullying, and was involved in a campaign about the subject in March 2018. Jane hopes to make her country proud at this year's Miss Universe competition.

**bonner** Thu Nov 01, 2018 11:08 pm

MALTA

Francesca Mifsud

Francesca Mifsud is a 22 year old born in Zejtun on the islands of Malta. Since she was a young girl, she aspired to become a lawyer. In fact, she just obtained a degree in Law and is pursuing her Master's in Law with the goal of becoming a Criminal Prosecutor. She is a very athletic person with two years of experience in Muay Thai and twelve years experience in Basketball - achieving two silver medals in the FIBA games. Her favorite hobby is traveling, and has visited 23 different countries allowing her to experience different cuisines and learn from different cultures. Her favorite city is Rome, Italy, due to their pasta carbonara. Francesca is a middle child and considers her two sisters as her biggest supporters together with her parents. As Miss Universe, Francesca would like to raise awareness and offer a solution in regards to sexual offenses with her campaign 'Stand Up' which helps victims persevere against the battle of sexual harassment.

**bonner** Thu Nov 01, 2018 11:09 pm

MAURITIUS

Varsha Ragoobarsing

Varsha Ragoobarsing is an aspiring entrepreneur and the founder of a nonprofit organization that caters for education of needy children. She is a degree holder in business administration and is currently studying at the chartered institute of management accountants. Varsha overcame dyslexia with her fighting spirit and with the support of her parents. She learned a lot from her failures but perseverance and determination helped her turn her failures into success. If she takes the crown home, she hopes to advocate in the field of education for needy children who are surrounded by poverty, drug abuse, AIDS, and social depravities. Varsha believes that education is the key to a better world and a better future. The quote that kept her motivated and strong all the time is, 'where there is a will there is a way'.

**bonner** Thu Nov 01, 2018 11:13 pm

MEXICO

Andrea Toscano

Andrea Toscano is studying Nutrition at Colimaas University with academic excellence, and is involved in a Neurolinguistic programming course. At the age of 13, her parents divorced and she had to step in and take responsibility of guiding her siblings. At 15 years old, Andrea has been an entrepreneur through creating and leading a team of cheerleaders called "rabbits" to promote sports in her city. Then at 17 years old, she faced a new stage in her life: being independent. Before entering beauty pageants, she started a nutrition project for inter-state migrant children to give nutritional education and improve their health and quality of life through balanced nutrition. Now, as Miss Universe Mexico, Andrea works to make her project bigger, and is called "Nourish a child, feed Mexico", that promotes nutritional education through a playful method with a National scope. With the same purpose, she is developing an app to help guide children to carry out a healthy lifestyle. Andrea, wants to be Miss Universe and make a real change in global health and nutrition.

**bonner** Thu Nov 01, 2018 11:16 pm

MYANMAR

Hnin Thway Yu Aung

Hnin Thway Yu Aung would best describe herself as hardworking. She has worked hard to establish her sunglasses shop with skills she has learned on her own in just over a year. Since she is fond of cooking, she enjoys making Thai cuisines to serve people close to her. With a passion for helping women, Hnin Thway hopes to empower women, especially young children, to prevent child abuse. Hnin Thway hopes to make herself and country proud by being the first candidate to earn the highest placement and take home the crown.

**bonner** Thu Nov 01, 2018 11:18 pm

NAMIBIA

Selma Kamanya

Selma Kamanya is a 21 year old, third year student currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in Economics. She enjoys exercising, reading and meditating as well as learning about new cultures. Selma works as a part time Forex Trader and has been in that career path for three years. With her position, she intends to teach women to generate their own wealth and create a better life for themselves and families. Selma hopes to make her country proud at this year's Miss Universe competition.

**bonner** Thu Nov 01, 2018 11:20 pm

NEPAL

Manita Devkota

Manita Devkota is an advocate for girls' education, public health, and women empowerment. Manita has a degree in Public Health and is an Ambassador of Women's Health at Days for Girls International. She is working to change the stigmas and obstacles that menstruating women and girls face in Nepal. In her free time, Manita enjoys cooking Asian cuisines, traveling the world, hiking, and reading novels. She aspires to be an Attorney to help women in regards to health and women's rights. If she takes home the crown, she hopes to use her degree to provide health education, and advocate for children's nutrition and maternal health.

**bonner** Thu Nov 01, 2018 11:22 pm

NETHERLANDS

Rahima Dirkse

Rahima Dirkse was born on August 11, 1993 in Rotterdam, Netherlands and currently lives in the city. She has a Dutch father who was born and raised in Rotterdam and a Brazilian mother, born and raised in Salvador, Bahia. Her parents met in Brazil and decided to start their family in the Netherlands. In high school Rahima found her passion for writing poetry and music. After practicing piano since the age of 3, she later began singing and playing the harp. In high school, Rahima was a shy girl who had trouble speaking in social situations. After graduating high school, Rahima went on to study bio pharmaceutical science at her university. With both of her parents working in the medical field, she found herself being pulled to pursue a career in that field as well. Besides studying, Rahima also started working for KWF going door to door to raise awareness for cancer studies. This is where she started to become more confident with who she was and started speaking up. After being discovered on the street, Rahima started working as a model, hostess and presenter. One night, she was working at a speak easy in Amsterdam where she happened to be discovered by a family member of the Miss Universe Netherlands organization who advised her on participating. Now she combines working as a Miss with her charity work for Dance 4 Life. As an ambassador, she talks to young boys and girls about speaking up about what they want and talking to people about their insecurities in hopes to strengthen their confidence. In the future, Rahima hopes to be a role model for people who struggle with self-confidence. She also would like to continue her work in charity and as a model. But for the near future, Rahima hopes to make her friends, family and country proud while she represents the Netherlands at this year's competition.

**bonner** Thu Nov 01, 2018 11:24 pm

NEW ZEALAND

Estelle Curd

Estelle Curd holds a Master's Degree in business and currently work as a CRM, HR and H&S Manager of a large national automotive group. She leads a team of 5 and sits on the senior leadership team. Estelle was appointed to her first senior management position at age 23, in a company of 18,000, making her the youngest to ever hold a position of seniority in this multinational steel manufacturing organization. Estelle has been a finalist for three national HR awards and continues to develop programs to improve employment culture. Further to this, Estelle has spoken at an international academic conference and written articles which have been published in national media, based on her master's thesis findings. Estelle has a passion for health and fitness and is an avid runner. If she takes home the crown, she hopes to continue her work on diversity and inclusion on a larger scale, giving those who may never have been given an opportunity before, the chance to succeed in employment.

**bonner** Thu Nov 01, 2018 11:28 pm

NICARAGUA

Adriana Paniagua

Adriana Paniagua has been an honor roll student throughout her whole academic life, from middle school to high school. She continued her academic excellence through college as a magna cum laude in Global Management. After pursuing her university degree, she became a young business entrepreneur opening her own store in 2017. Adriana has always enjoyed volunteering at many charitable organizations among them 'Operation Smile' in her native Nicaragua where for the past seven years she has been an ambassador and spokesperson for this organization. At the age of 15, Adriana won her first beauty pageant and the first ever 'Miss Teen' crown in the country. Since then, she became a social media influencer. Paniagua is fond of traveling the world and experiencing different cultures. She currently speaks three languages (Spanish, English and Italian). If Adriana wins the title of Miss Universe, she'll continue to use her voice to speak out against human rights violations and freedom of speech.

**bonner** Tue Nov 06, 2018 4:45 am

NIGERIA

Aramide Lopez

۞✧✧✧ROAD TO MISS UNIVERSE 2018✧✧✧ ۞ - Page 8 Nigeri15

Lopez Aramide has a B.A in history and diplomatic studies . While in school, Lopez Aramide has always had an interest in modeling. She is a fashion lover and has a passion for singing. In her free time, Lopez loves to cook new foods. Lopez Aramide is a lover of educating young women by reading to those in need. She would best describe herself as a good listener and overall great woman. If Lopez takes home this year's crown, she would like to help people all over the world.

**bonner** Tue Nov 06, 2018 4:52 am

NORWAY

Susanne Næss Guttorm

Susanne Næss Guttorm is currently studying Building Engineering at Oslo Metropolitan University. She is a part of Norway's Sami people and are one of several indigenous peoples in the Far North. The Sami have their own culture, language, history and traditional territories, called Sapmi. Susanne is also very dedicated to help the ones who has been diagnosed with cancer and volunteers in a foundation based in Norway. Susanne is looking forward to making her country proud at this year's Miss Universe competition.

**bonner** Tue Nov 06, 2018 5:02 am

PANAMA

Rosa Iveth Montezuma

Rosa Iveth Montezuma had been studying Science and Food Technology and Educational Computing for 6 years when she became the first indigenous woman to win her country's top beauty title. Since then, she has participated in various conferences in the United Nations and the Organization of American States, defending the rights of the indigenous people. She enjoys volunteering at 'Campamento de ni'os Regi'n Muna' (Muna Region Children's Camp) where she promotes values, culture and principles. Rosa Iveth hopes to win the Miss Universe crown and use her voice to advocate a message of inclusion and respect for the diversity of our planet's population.

**bonner** Tue Nov 06, 2018 5:07 am

PARAGUAY

Marea Bel_n Alderete Gayoso

Mar'a BelZn is a young, simple, humble woman with a good heart. She has gone through very difficult times in her life as she has suffered bullying and discrimination for not fitting into the standards of a society. Although she lived through these very critical moments, she continued to never stop to believing in herself. In one year, Mar'a BelZn will graduate with a degree in marketing and advertising engineering. In her free time, she is dedicated to helping people with cancer and lupus. Mar'a BelZn considers herself athletic as she practices cycling and swimming. She is passionate about cooking, especially preparing desserts that sweeten life. Mar'a BelZn has worked as a professional model for many years as well as an event organization company. Despite all the criticism and social persecution that she lived, she never lost the hope. Everything that she lived through in the past has helped her to grow to be strong and to continue forward in life. Her motto is, "If we were born without wings, do not do anything to prevent them from growing up."

**bonner** Tue Nov 06, 2018 5:17 am

PERU

Romina Lozano

Romina Lozano comes from a humble family that lives in San Martin, located in the jungle region of Peroe. She grew up surrounded by love and strength given to her by her family. However, because of the lack of resources, opportunities, and vulnerable situation she lived in, she knew she had to move to Lima in order to grow and pursue her dreams. At the age of 18, she became independent and moved on her own to Lima where she worked in four different jobs in order to make a suitable living for herself. Her biggest motivation comes from her mother and all the young girls in her hometown. Now crowned as Miss Peroe, she believes one should always lead by example and strive to be symbol of commitment and hope for all the young girls that want to make their dreams come true. Romina has travelled all around Peroe looking to inspire women to take action and raise their voice against violence. Her mission is to help those in need and promote a society where men and women can be seen as equal. Romina is looking forward to competing on a global stage in hopes of taking home the crown.

**bonner** Tue Nov 06, 2018 5:56 am

PHILIPPINES

Catriona Gray

Catriona Elisa Gray is known to spontaneously burst into song, which is most likely due to her love of the arts and her Master Certificate in Music Theory. A great travel buddy and definitely not a "scaredy cat," Catriona is always game for heart racing adventures. Zipline, anyone? This model is openly passionate about her love for Filipino dishes including adobo, balut, and the sweetest mangoes in the world. Catriona is an HIV/AIDS advocate at Love Yourself PH, and volunteers as a Teacher's Assistant to the students of Young Focus NGO. Catriona hopes to make her country proud at this year's Miss Universe competition.

**bonner** Tue Nov 06, 2018 6:14 am

POLAND

Magdalena Swat

Magdalena Swat graduated from Warsaw University of Technology with a Masters of Science in Administration. She works as a model and influencer, but her true passion is Psychology. She believes that self-awareness is the key to success. Magdalena loves fashion, sports and developing knowledge about healthy lifestyles. She is an artistic soul and loves singing and painting. Magdalena hopes to make her country proud at this year's Miss Universe competition.

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