Let's protect the coast, says environmentally conscious Miss Seychelles contestant Sophie Rosette

Miss Seychelles Another World Contestant 11: Sophie Rosette. (Michel Toule-Thilatier/Miss Seychelles - National Pageant-Facebook)

(Seychelles News Agency) - A Miss Seychelles contestant passionate about nature has taken an interest in advocating for the protection of her island nation’s environment.

Sophie Rosette wants to embark on a project to educate people on the effects of pollution and erosion on the vast coastlines of the three main inhabited islands of the archipelago.

Twelve young women are competing for the title of Miss Seychelles. The winner will be crowned on Saturday night.

“My project aims to create a foundation upon which I can assist in promoting effective coastal management within my community,” said Rosette.

Seychelles, a 115-island archipelago in the Indian Ocean, is characterized by lush tropical vegetation, huge granite boulders, powder white beaches and turquoise waters. Such features are used in the promotion of the island, which relies heavily on tourism.

As an island nation, however, Seychelles remains vulnerable to the effects of climate change including the visible effects of erosion along some of the coastal regions.

Rosette’s beauty with a purpose project is entitled ‘Promoting Effective Coastal Management for the Future of Seychelles.’ She has outlined five core activities, the main one being a national beach cleaning day, which she hopes can be on the same level as the annual clean up the world campaign.

“I would like to see the beach cleaning day become an annual event on the calendar of activities of the environment department,” she said to SNA, adding that January would be the best time to organize the clean-up, after the festive season.

Rosette has already secured sponsorship from a local company for the project.

On the pageant itself, the 18-year-old says the intense preparation the contestants have had to go through, which includes fitness challenges, photo shoots, catwalk training among others, has not been easy. Nevertheless she has welcomed the experience gained highlighting the good support received from the main organiser of the pageant, the Seychelles Tourism Board.

“It’s been fun and challenging at the same time. For me it’s been difficult to balance school, my personal life and training for the pageant, which is done after working hours.”

Rosette, a visual art student currently in her second year of studies, says she has never been timid hence parading in front on a large crowd for the grand finale on Saturday will not be a problem.

“I will be happy with whatever happens, we have all become close friends and I will be happy for whoever takes home the coveted crown.”

Editor’s Note: Twelve contestants are taking part in the 2016 Miss Seychelles Another World pageant. The crowning ceremony will take place on Saturday May 28. SNA is writing feature stories on each participant in the order they appear as contestants up to the crowning night.