A very self-confident 12-year-old girl from Meyersdal won her first pageant ever and is the overall winner of Miss South Africa Schools.
Elena Caradas is a learner from Reddam House Bedfordview.
“My friend, who participated in last year’s pageant, motivated me to enter. There was a lot involved with participating in Miss SA Schools. I have been doing various community projects and fund raisers for Childhood Cancer over the past eight weeks. I hosted a cupcake party at school to raise money for Cupcakes for Kids with Cancer, as well as a ladies lunch with loads of entertainment and prizes to raise money for CANSA TLC,” said Elena.
The interesting thing about Elena is that she was never part of a modelling school.
Her drama teacher, Lauren Harding, helped her.
Elena is still surprised and speechless about her winning.
“I didn’t expect this at all; I just did it to have a new experience.” A highlight of her journey was visiting the children in the oncology ward at the Donald Gordon Hospital. “I really enjoyed playing with them and I also saw another side of the world – and it made me more grateful for small things in my life,” she said.
As a finalist, she had to do a written project about her school, community projects and business projects.
Elena also had to do a media project and had to make a flag to represent her school.
The big event was held at the Carousel on October 8, where Elena’s day started off in an interview with all the judges, followed by a photo shoot with Pro Image.
All models had to rehearse their walks and then they had to get ready for the event of the day.
“Before I went on stage, my mother Dayle calmed me and told me that I can – and that I must just give it my best. I am also grateful to Bernardine Belleport and Bella Schreuder for organizing such a wonderful event.”
A very special moment for Elena was when all the finalists’ moms were called up to the stage to thank them.
Elena won the best media, best project and public choice in her age group grade 5-7; and also was she announced as the Miss SA Schools 2016/2017 overall winner. She walked away with a trophy, two crowns, two sashes and four certificates.
Her mother told the RECORD that she is so proud of her daughter and also said that they both enjoyed this journey.
Elena said that she wants to motivate other girls to take part in this pageant. “It is an experience of a life time.”
In her spare time she loves to play netball, to dance and she loves going to school.
Her motto in life is: ‘Always be humble and kind’. Future plans for now, include to get more involved in the community and to wear her title with pride.
She also told the RECORD that she would love to take part in more pageants in the future.
Elena thanked everyone who supported her during this journey: “Without you guys I couldn’t have done it,” she said.
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