Representing Trinidad and Tobago at this year's Miss Universe pageant in California, USA, was an honour and a terrific experience, local representative Kenisha Thom said yesterday.
By Julian NievesSpeaking with the Express in a telephone interview from her room at the Wilshire Grand Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, Thom was still beaming with pride over her performance on Sunday night. Thom, who went up against 85 other delegates from around the world, placed in the top 10 in the competition, which was held at the Shrine auditorium in Los Angeles. The pageant was eventually won by Miss Puerto Rico, Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza.
Thom, 22, of Tobago, said it was a "great and wonderful feeling" to be chosen as one of the 10 finalists. She had entered Sunday night's competition as one of the more popular contestants, having ranked highly in various internet polls centred around the pageant. Yesterday, she said although she did not win, the experience "couldn't have been better". "I had a wonderful time here," she said.
Thom reported that she was at the pageant with her family, friend, significant other and former Miss Universe Wendy Fitzwilliam. She said she could not have asked for better supporters and the whole response to her effort was overwhelming. She noted that her most memorable experience was the Make a Wish Foundation garden party, because of her passion for children.
The foundation grants wishes to children with life threatening conditions and Thom said she had the opportunity to meet with a couple of the children. She added that she also enjoyed the tour of Universal Studios, where delegates were shown the art of movie making. However, Thom said she was unsure of when she would be returning home, as she would be taking some time to contemplate her next step. In 2004, Thom represented the country in the Miss World competition in China and had also made it as one of the top 10 finalists.
