Yvonne ready for Miss Universe

Kevon Felmine - Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Miss Universe T&T representative Yvonne Clarke, centre, receives a bouquet of flowers from San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello during a courtesy call at City Hall, San Fernando, yesterday. At right is City Corporation CEO Indarjit Singh. Photo by:TONY HOWELL

Putting a week of drama behind her, local delegate for Miss Universe 2017, Yvonne Clarke says while she is confident of returning home with the crown, her goal is to share T&T’s warm spirit with the world.

Clarke, who leaves for Las Vegas on Friday night, said her registration for the pageant and sponsorship have been finalised.

She spoke to reporters at the San Fernando City Hall yesterday following a courtesy call to Mayor Junia Regrello and San Fernando City Corporation CEO Indarjit Singh.

Last week Clarke was stripped of the Miss Universe TT title by local franchise holder Jenny Douglas for an alleged breach of contract.

Two days later, she was reinstated but her sponsors, led by soca artiste Fay-Ann Lyon Alvarez withdrew their support. Clarke said she has put all the negatives behind her and would only focus on the task at hand.

“At this point, I choose to focus on positivity and performing well. I am heading to Las Vegas and I will be having fun in representing Trinidad and Tobago to the best of my ability. I am a little nervous but extremely excited. I am looking forward to interacting with girls from 90 different countries all over the world. I love meeting new people so it’s going to be a fantastic experience.

“Of course the ultimate goal will be to bring the crown home but I am focused on enjoying the experience and really taking that warm spirit that we have here in Trinidad and Tobago to Las Vegas,” Clarke said.

She said former delegates such as Jevon King and Faye Alibocus have been supportive of her journey, however, it was Miss Universe 1998 Wendy Fitzwilliam who inspired her passion for pageantry. Since nine years old, Clarke has been preparing for this opportunity and it all began when Fitzwilliam won the crown.

“My street at that time was flooded with people. Everyone was rejoicing and the level of camaraderie that I saw on that night made me want to emulate Wendy, which I did. It is so fascinating and I always tell people that there were neighbours who my mother had not spoken to in years and she was embracing them that night because of Wendy Fitzwilliam winning Miss Universe. Becoming Miss Universe is not only a job but you become a role model for so many young men and women, not only in your country but by extension the world.”

Miss Universe 2017 will be held on November 26 at The Axis at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Regrello told Clarke that while the City was proud of her accomplishment and was confident that she would do well, all they ask is for her to do her best. He said Clarke’s gift to take to the competition was a steel pan, which was most fitting for this country.

http://guardian.co.tt/news/2017-11-07/yvonne-ready-miss-universe