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| Sunday, 24 October 2004 |
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Nuwanthi aspiring miss university by Umangi de Mel She is Nuwanthi Somatilake, Ms. University 2004 for Ms. World University which will be held in November in Beijing, China. Going on 25, the bubbly Nuwanthi is a past pupil of Holy Family Convent, Kurunegala.
Having done Arts subjects for her advanced levels, Nuwanthi couldn't score enough to enter the University and she was reluctant to sit a second time. "I wasn't interested which is why I gave up school and followed a diploma in child psychology at 'Sakura', a Japanese school in Kurunegala," in a flash, the question arose as to how she became Ms. University without being affiliated to a University. Clearing the doubts, Sebastian Perera, the franchise director for the event says that the pageant doesn't require University qualifications. Explaining further, he says that it all depends on experience and intelligence. "If a girl is experienced and intelligent she doesn't need to be a University student to face an international audience," he comments.
Nuwanthi reveals that she'd always wanted to participate in beauty pageants and modelling. "Once, while I was leafing through the newspaper I came across coupons for the Ms. Sri Lanka competition which made me jump for joy. That was in 2002, and I was among the final 20 contestants. It was my first time at a pageant and it was quite overwhelming. The pageant was held at the Ceylon Continental Hotel and was organised by Selsin Ltd," she explains, re-living the moment and adding that the girls were trained under Yvonne Rozairo, choreographer for the event. Nuwanthi rejoices the fact that she won the title 'Ms. Swimsuit' in spite of her being a real green-horn at the time.
"It didn't stop there. In 2003, I took part in the Ms. Sri Lanka for Model of the Universe which was held at Trans Asia. I became the 1st runner-up and with that, I gained a lot of experience." Nuwanthi speaks of her progress looking at things in a positive manner, and says that she has learnt more about life and confronting fears over the years. Nuwanthi was sent as a delegate to the 'Queen of the World' pageant held in Germany in April, 2004.
Having bagged the title, 'Bridal Queen' for three consecutive years at the Bridal shows held at BMICH, Nuwanthi seems to have attracted lots of attention, in the field. Getting lucky again, Nuwanthi has been selected to represent Sri Lanka in the Ms. World University this year. "Sixty-five countries will participate in the pageant and I'm not a bit shaky about the contest. I'm well prepared and I hope that the experience I've gained so far, will come in handy"
I feel so lucky and my family's thrilled." Nevertheless, a modest Nuwanthi feels that she still needs more guidance, "I'm very pleased that Sebastian Perera's right behind me, advising me the whole time."Revealing her preference, she hopes to forge ahead in this field as long as her fate will allow her. Talking about beauty pageants, with great gusto, she says it requires lots of hard work and dedication to become a beauty queen.
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Her interests vary from psychology to beauty culture, her passion being
children, Nuwanthi says she excelled in child psychology so that she could
learn more about them. "I'm the third in a family of six. I've got
three sisters and two brothers," she says talking about her family.
A very relaxed Nuwanthi looks confident and pretty, in her own way.
"I was also interested in beauty culture so after having finished the
diploma in psychology, I studied beauty culture at Maharagama."
Having a somewhat strict father wasn't easy, says Nuwanthi speaking
about her family. She says it was difficult talking 'beauty pageants' in
front of her father. "He wouldn't like it, but it was my mother who
backed me and look where I am now. I've actually made it. In fact, the
whole thing has turned out to be pretty good, I love it."
"Being a Sri Lankan, I was able to get on the top ten. I felt
great as I contested against 65 countries." The contest has been a
real eye-opener for Nuwanthi. Ample rendezvous with new people and other
experience that were totally alien to her made her come out of her shell
and explore the world. As a result, Nuwanthi has emerged as a totally new
person with experience to back her up as an ambassadress. "I made
lots of friends and the trip was fantastic. I had good fun and a good time
in Germany."
Having been chosen over hundreds of other girls to represent Sri Lanka
in the contest, she is the happiest, at the moment. "I should be
thanking God for granting me a wish.
"Although I've given priority to looking beautiful at the moment,
I love reading books and Kandyan dancing. Beauty won't last and my time
too will fly before I know it. You can't model all your life,"
Nuwanthi says that she knows better than to expect being a beautiful face
for the rest of her life. Thanking God for small mercies, she wraps things
up saying she hopes to do something on her own in the future,
"Probably to have my own beauty parlour."
