Leiselle Maraj Tuesday, October 23 2012

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MISS UNIVERSE CANDIDATE: Miss Trinidad and Tobago Universe 2012 winner, Avionne Mark. The show was held on Sunday evening at the National Academy for ...

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Twenty-three-year-old Champs Fleurs resident, Avionne Mark emerged as a winner of the 2012 Miss Trinidad and Tobago Universe title at the finals of the competition held on Sunday evening at the National Academy for the Performing Arts, Port-of-Spain.

Mark was adjudged the best of the ten finalists chosen to compete for the crown by a panel of judges which included TT’s own Miss Universe 1977 Janelle Penny Commissiong and former Miss Trinidad and Tobago World, Valene Maharaj.

Mark will represent Trinidad and Tobago in the upcoming Miss Universe pageant which will be held on December 19, in Nevada, USA. On Sunday evening, contestants paraded in swimsuits and evening gowns before the top five were chosen to compete in a question and answer segment. When asked if given the opportunity by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to head any ministry, and why, Mark responded she would choose Tourism. She is pursuing a Bachelors of Science in International Tourism Management at the University of the West Indies at present, and her dream is to become a Tourism Ambassador.

“It would be a great opportunity to instill policy changes with regards to customer service in the Tourism industry of Trinidad and Tobago,” she told host Jason Williams and the audience. Mark also won the Spirit of Carnival special award during the show which was the culmination of Tribe Carnival’s first attempt at hosting the pageant, now that they are the new franchise holders.

Apart from winning the chance to represent Trinidad and Tobago at the Miss Universe pageant, Mark also received several make-up, hair and accessory prizes and a $10,000 cash prize and costume, courtesy Tribe. First runner-up at the pageant was Mauricia De Peza, second runner-up Ria Da Costa, third runner-up was Fan Favourite award recipient Sarah Jane Waddell, and rounding out the top five was Jessica Didier who also copped the Spirit of the Champion award.

The five finalists who did not place were Amanda Chedu, Sheneille Leelah, La Toya Franklyn, Mary Esdelle and Renee Bhagwandeen. The finalists were chosen after two casting calls held earlier this month.