Aquelle Francesca Plakaris is an unassuming, attractive, laid-back teenager. Like most 19-year olds she is into music, socialising and clothing. However while other teenagers her age are getting ready to spend the summer months at the beach this year, Aquelle will be preparing to go to London to represent The Bahamas in the Miss Commonwealth Bahamas International (UK) pageant.
Aquelle has the distinction of being the first Bahamian to compete in this particular pageant.
The exotic Aquelle, whose unique beauty has its roots in the mixture of her Greek and Bahamian heritage, says that while most pageants tend to focus on the outer beauty of the contestants, the Commonwealth pageant is not only about beauty. "It's also about intellect and community service," she states emphatically.
Aquelle's community service includes tutoring kids who need help after school. This brainy beauty, who has proven that looks and brains are not odd bedfellows, has plans to attend Atlanta Metropolitan College, in the US, after her obligation to the pageant ends. She will study political science and international relations with the aim of becoming a UN ambassador.
Aquelle became interested in the modelling and fashion world when she was eight. She entered her first competition in 1998. After graduating from Mount Caramel Preparatory Academy here in Nassau, she pursued her interest in modelling and trained at the Look modelling Agency. In 2004 she competed in the Cindy Thompson's Miss Teen Bahamas competition and finished fourth. Later she was awarded the first honorary Miss Teen Tourism Bahamas title by Pageantry Systems International. After being awarded the honorary title, Aquelle says many doors opened for her.
Her short-term goal is a focused one which has everything to do with bringing home the coveted crown and title this year. She says the lists of prizes is an added incentive. It includes a car, a condo and a salary – not to mention the opportunity to travel all over the world representing the UK-based organisation. She also gets a chance to educate people about HIV and AIDS as well as cancer awareness, which she is passionate about as it has already claimed the lives of two close family members.
Aquelle tells other young women who wish to enter this particular pageant or pageants in general, that if pageantry is their dream or goal they should pursue it, but they should remember to plan because it's very time-consuming. She says there's nothing wrong with pageant hopefuls pursuing other areas in the fashion industry or modelling (an earlier dream of hers, she wanted to be an international model). But she adds that it is always good to get an education as a cushion for the inevitability of the end of modelling.
Aquelle says the person that inspires her most is Dr Rhonda Hannah, the owner of Hidden Treasures who has been a mentor as well as one of her sponsors. After being crowned Miss Commonwealth Bahamas International, her mentor told her to represent the title with excellence, as at the end of her reign she would be remembered as the queen who served her country well.
Aquelle will represent The Bahamas in London, England at the Commonwealth International (UK) Pageant on July 16.
By: Nadine Thomas-Brown, The Nassau Guardian
