‘It's been special'- Donyelle D. Hodge on her reign as Miss BVI 2025
Miss Hodge, who experienced the pageant journey in 2024 as a contestant of that year’s pageant, walked away as first runner up. Due to the low contestant registration numbers for the 2025 Miss BVI pageant, an executive decision was taken to coronate Miss Hodge as Miss BVI 2025.
Miss Hodge joined the three young ladies who will vie for the 2026 Miss BVI title in August on Crown and Conversations on June 4, 2026.
Every queen’s reign is special to them
Asked by show host, Ms Sandra I. Ward, to reflect on her year as Miss BVI, Miss Hodge said, “It's been special. I think every queen’s reign is special to them. I’ve had to opportunity to be in so many rooms, to be able to share what my experience holding the crown is like and even just being able to meet so many people.”
She said she loves meeting people and networking describing herself as “a socially anxious social butterfly”.
I was like them
This year’s contestants are Angelique Lettsome, Kala Penn, and Asha A.S. Hydnman. Miss Hodge said at some point in her journey to the crown, she shared the expectations of the contestants.
“From wanting to reach outside of my comfort zone and pivot and try something new. From this originally being a thought that I did have when I was younger and the number of opportunities that the Miss BVI title holds and is able to provide to so many young ladies.”
Among these opportunities she said are the duties of Miss BVI, including being an ambassador, the scholarship opportunity and the level of exposure that comes with the title.
.gif)
.jpg)
_(1).png)
.png)
.jpg)
Follow Us On
12 Responses to “‘It's been special'- Donyelle D. Hodge on her reign as Miss BVI 2025”
Anything can be beauty queen in bvi
Every organization, competition, profession, and nation establishes standards for a reason. Standards are not inherently discriminatory; rather, they serve to preserve excellence, credibility, and identity. Whether we are discussing pageants, academics, sports, business, or public service, the criteria that define success help maintain the integrity of the institution itself.
My concern is not with any particular contestant, (past or present), nor is it about denying anyone the opportunity to participate. Rather, it is about the growing tendency in modern society to redefine standards whenever they become inconvenient or unpopular. Inclusion is a worthwhile objective when it expands opportunity and allows more people to strive for excellence. However, inclusion should not come at the expense of the very standards that give an institution its value and purpose.
The Miss BVI title is not merely an award; it is a brand and a representation of the British Virgin Islands on a regional and international stage. As with any brand, its credibility depends on maintaining clear and consistent standards that reflect the image, values, and excellence it seeks to project.
This principle extends beyond pageantry. Societies thrive when standards are upheld in leadership, education, public service, and national development. When standards become increasingly subjective or are adjusted to accommodate every circumstance, institutions risk losing their identity, public confidence, and ultimately their effectiveness.
Supporting our contestants and maintaining standards are not mutually exclusive concepts. We can celebrate every woman who steps onto that stage while still recognizing the importance of preserving the criteria that make the title meaningful and respected in the first place.