Miss Watts New Limited, Peta-Gaye Walker, one of the Miss Jamaica World 2005 contestants. - PHOTOS BY WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
MEET THE beauties in the Miss Jamaica World Pageant. One of 15 lovely ladies will represent Jamaica in the Miss World Pageant to be held in Sanya, China, on December 10. In the meantime, The Gleaner is giving you a chance to know them.
Name: Peta-Gaye Walker
Miss WATTS NEW LIMITED
Age: 22
Occupation: Student
Height: 5'4''
Weight: 115 lbs
Why did you decide to enter: "I decided to enter because I wanted to do something outside of my comfort zone. Something that would take me to new heights and expose me to new opportunities and also gaining the experience to better myself."
What is your best quality: "I think I am a well-rounded human being. I am intelligent, athletic and can interact with anyone and appreciate just about anything, on any subject."
If you could change one feature or thing about yourself what would it be: "Allowing other people's negative opinions of me to affect my emotions. I feel that allowing what other people think about me interferes with my ability to perform at my best."
Why do you think you should win: "If I do, I would love to do so much for Jamaica, and be an advocate for so many issues that affect our people. Being in the pageant gives me an opportunity to give back to my country."
Name one difficulty you have faced in the past and have overcome: "I grew up as an only child. I was raised by my father. I don't look at it as something that has negatively impacted on me. Not having a mother in my life and siblings, I wish I had that. But I have got over it though."
Give one word to describe yourself: "Perseverance."
If you could have lunch with one person, who would it be and why: "Nelson Mandela. I believe that he is a truly amazing person, and is the epitome of perseverance who fought for what he believed in despite adversities."
Name one beauty queen you look up to and why: "Lisa Hanna. She is intelligent, beautiful, charismatic, confident and graceful."
How does being in the competition affect your career goals, and will it affect them if you win: "Definitely. I hope to one day become a dentist, and this will help to improve my social skills, confidence and etiquette. Besides being able to put the Miss Jamaica on my resume, it gives me an opportunity to meet people that I probably wouldn't have the opportunity to meet."
What is the most important job that someone could do: "Helping others. Anything that is selfless and altruistic. A big problem in our society is individuality, people tend to focus too much on self, and not everyone as a whole. If we united, we would be a force to reckon with."
Taken from The Daily Gleaner, Wednesday September 7, 2005
