BVI 2012 Sharie B.Y. de Castro says she remains focused on her task and is encouraging fans to continue in their support of her quest to attain the crown at the 62nd edition of the Miss Universe pageant in Moscow, Russia. Image: miss universe.com

Sharie said she continues to fly the VI's flag high in Russia and her main focus is to represent the territory to the best of her ability. Photo: missuniverse.com

According to her chaperone, Damion C. Grange, Sharie is that element of surprise who can bloom anywhere she is planted, because she is smart and beautiful. Photo: VINO/File

While noting that the chapter would be no ‘walk in the park’, Sharie said she was delighted at the privilege of representing the Territory to the best of her ability. Photo: VINO

The pageant queen, who was supported on either side by reigning Miss World BVI, Kertis K. Malone and recently crowned Miss BVI 2013 Rosanna K. Chichester, said she was leaving with a sense of anxiety and nervousness but was also doing so in a spirit of gratitude. Photo: VINO

The Elmore Stoutt High teacher said she was reassured that her faith in God and the love and support of her family, friends, church family, and the BVI community will guide her each step of the way. Photo: VINO

She thanked Bishop John I. Cline, chaperone Damion C. Grange, mother Violet de Castro and father Arthur de Castro among others for their close counsel and guidance and encouraged fans to follow her progress on Facebook. Photo: VINO

She thanked Bishop John I. Cline, chaperone Damion C. Grange, mother Violet de Castro and father Arthur de Castro among others for their close counsel and guidance and encouraged fans to follow her progress on Facebook. Photo: VINO

Persons within the community are encouraged to vote for her on missuniverse.com and telemundo.com as the winner of People's Choice will advance to the semi-finals.

Sharie said she continues to fly the VI's flag high in Russia and her main focus is to represent the territory to the best of her ability.

The pageant queen, who departed for the pageant on October 21, 2013, said she remains focused despite feeling homesick. “I am having a blast even though I am still homesick. However, I remain focused on my objective which is to represent my homeland at the highest level possible."

According to her chaperone, Damion C. Grange, “Sharie is that element of surprise who can bloom anywhere she is planted, because she is smart and beautiful. I therefore would like to encourage everyone home and abroad to show her some love and support by voting for Miss British Virgin Islands at missuniverse.com.

Fans are also being encouraged to let Sharie know via Facebook that they are behind her as every motivating thought goes a long way in keeping her spirit up.

The pageant will be held on November 9, 2013 at Crocus City Hall in Moscow and will be hosted by Thomas Roberts of MSNBC LIVE and Mel B of America’s Got Talent. The pageant is being contested by eighty-seven countries and territories.

See previous story posted October 22, 2013:

Miss BVI 2012 Sharie B.Y. de Castro calls for continued support in departure

BEEF ISLAND, VI – Surrounded by fans and well-wishers, Miss BVI 2012, Sharie B.Y. de Castro, called for the continued support and prayers of fellow countrymen as she departed the Territory yesterday, October 21, 2013 to represent the Virgin Islands (VI) in the Miss Universe Pageant.

The pageant will be held on November 9, 2013 at Crocus City Hall in Moscow, Russia.

Describing the occasion as a remarkable opportunity for career and character building, de Castro said her course was charted by various challenges but has been a most humbling journey and true test of inner strength thus far.

The pageant queen, who was supported on either side by reigning Miss World BVI, Kertis K. Malone and recently crowned Miss BVI 2013 Rosanna K. Chichester, said she was leaving with a sense of anxiety and nervousness but was also doing so in a spirit of gratitude.

“I feel very anxious, somewhat nervous, but I believe that I have this inner sense of strength and purpose in knowing that my main goal is to represent the British Virgin Islands to the best of my ability and hopefully to take the crown and bring it back home,” she said.

While noting that the chapter would be no ‘walk in the park’, Sharie said she was delighted at the privilege of representing the Territory to the best of her ability.

Sharie said the event is set to have a packed schedule with rehearsals, pre-pageant events such as costume and evening wear as well as interview segments.

“I feel as prepared as I can be,” she said, “I understand that this is far beyond finances, people, resources. I definitely believe that I’ve come to know who I am and to generally understand the inner strength that I have in my relationship with God and just my outlook to challenges such as these to be able to get outside of my comfort zone and take on a challenge of this magnitude.”

The Elmore Stoutt High teacher said she was reassured that her faith in God and the love and support of her family, friends, church family, and the BVI community will guide her each step of the way.

She thanked Bishop John I. Cline, chaperone Damion C. Grange, mother Violet de Castro and father Arthur de Castro among others for their close counsel and guidance and encouraged fans to follow her progress on Facebook through facebook.com/missuniversebritishvirginislands.

Malone took the opportunity to remind de Castro that she was very beautiful and talented and said whatever she put her mind to will come to pass while Chichester commended de Castro on her journey and said she will leave a landmark while placing the VI on a larger scale.

Meanwhile, Miss BVI pageant committee member, Ms Alesia Hamm wished de Castro the best of luck as she proceeded and said their support will continue as they have “always been one hundred percent behind her”.

The 62nd Annual Miss Universe pageant will be hosted by Thomas Roberts (MSNBC LIVE) and Mel B (America’s Got Talent) and is being contested by eighty-seven countries and territories. The current Miss Universe is Olivia Culpo from USA.