kevon.felmine@guardian.co.tt
With a global platform now within reach, newly-crowned Mrs World T&T Precious Piper-Derrick plans to educate the world about the warmness of Trinbagonians.
Representing San Fernando, the 31-year-old copped the title at the Southern Academy for Performing Arts on Saturday night, replacing former queen Yolandra John.
Piper-Derrick will now represent T&T in the Mrs World pageant in December in Las Vegas, United States. She beat Mrs Chaguanas Kettisha Williams, who finished first runner-up and Mrs Marabella Terneisha Amun.
Piper-Derrick also won the prize for Mrs Intelligence.
“I am over the moon. I am not talented in sports and always wanted to be an ambassador for my country. It is overwhelming now to get that platform and an opportunity to represent T&T on an international stage,” Piper-Derrick said of her achievement.
A mother of two boys, seven and 11, Piper-Derrick balances life with her family in Union Hall, San Fernando and her job as a communication assistant at the Office of the Parliament.
She spent the last eight weeks preparing for the show, with prior experience in pageantry.
She had finished as first runner-up in previous Miss Point Fortin and Miss Labour Day pageants and participated in Ms La Reine Rive in the Prime Minister’s Best Village Trophy Competition.
After getting married, she saw the Mrs World competition as a platform to perform humanitarian work and retain her self-confidence.
“I think it was a level playing field for the most part but after answering the final question, I felt confident in my chances,” she told Guardian Media.
Asked by judges during the pageant what was the most important thing she had learned in life and how she would apply it to competition, Piper-Derrick said it was to be humble.
Speaking of her role ahead, she said: “Even though I would represent my T&T among 80 countries, I understand that there will be many other different races and cultures, and I would need to maintain the humility to accept the various experiences, and it can open doors for me.”
As for what she plans to share about T&T, Piper-Derrick said she believes the world should know about the warmth of its inhabitants and not see it as a war zone.
“I will show people the warmth, the vibrancy, the welcoming people we are and what is a true Trini. A true Trini is anybody you meet, and they treat you like family and welcome you home. They would share a meal, take you to a lime, enjoy yourself and overall good vibes.”