Saungie A. Liburd, 28, was crowned 2017 Miss Gorgeous when the Virgin Gorda Easter Festival Miss Gorgeous Pageant was held at the Catholic Community Center in Virgin Gorda last night, Saturday April 8, 2017. Photo: John F. Black

On her way to the crown, Liburd made an almost clean sweep of the four segments, raking in three out of the four awards-Best Talent, Best Evening Wear and Best Lingerie.

The only other award- Best Introduction- was won by Contestant #1 Shamekah Smith.

The other contender was Tesan Gunzelle, Contestant #3.

Worked hard

“I just worked hard and I did what I practiced. I just felt excited at the night of the show because I just came to do my best and enjoy myself. It was a very good experience for me,” Liburd, who was a first timer to the pageantry world, said in an interview with Virgin Islands News Online on Sunday April 9, 2017.

The newly crowned Miss Gorgeous resides on the main island of Tortola, and is an employee of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) as a Medical Laboratory Scientist.

She said the reason for her participation was to bring awareness to the deadly Sexually Transmitted Disease called Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

“That was my entire motivation to join,” she revealed.

Extra-curricular activities

Liburd is also an athlete and is the 2016 Cross Country Female Champion in the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College 2-mile Series.

In her spare time she does community work with the BVI Red Cross Society and Rotaract Club.

Liburd said she wants to be a role model for other young ladies to look up to and to let them know that they can do anything that they put their minds to.

The show was held under the theme: Glitz and Glamour.