Marine biologist is 2010 Miss PNG

By JULIA DAIA BORE

MISS Bank South Pacific Rachel Sapery James has been crowned the 2010 Miss PNG, The National reports.

James, 26, from New Ireland, is a marine biologist. She has a master’s degree in international studies of aquatic tropical ecology and conservation from a university in Germany.

She was bestowed  the title over seven others in Port Moresby on Saturday night.

James was also named Miss Humanitarian and Miss Patron’s Choice.

Soon after her crowning, James called on all Papua New Guineans to endeavour to “protect, preserve and maintain all of PNG’s rich and diverse natural resources, flora and fauna as blessings for our children and our children’s children”.

She said before joining the quest, she had a quest of her own – promoting the conservation of coral reefs and creating awareness on marine environmental issues.

James said these awareness activities were aimed at helping “our coastal communities become resilient of the effects of climate change”.

“Joining the quest was a right step.

“As a marine biologist, I believe the long-term success of PNG and the South Pacific region, and the viabilities of our communities and the climate – specified in the various environmental issues including climate change, water scarcity, and biodiversity – lies in conducting such awareness in our communities,” the Miss PNG said.

She also said her crowning was “a stepping stone to do as much as I can to help the environment and the communities impacted directly and indirectly”.

“My crowning tonight is a win for everything I believed in.

“It is a win for the environment; it is a win for my fellow Papua New Guineans,” she said, adding that she hoped to inspire women in PNG and also throughout the South Pacific “to strive for (and achieve) their personal and professional goals”.

Outgoing Miss PNG Antonia Singut said this year’s quest was slightly different to the previous ones, adding that it no longer focused on the generation of money.

“There is now a whole new concept which aligns the Miss PNG Quest with a competition that develops and showcases the contestants’ personal, intellectual and humanitarian qualities, resulting in the crowning of an ambassador who can proudly represent PNG in her own country and overseas,” Singut said.

Michelle Mondia, sponsored by PNG Australian Alumni Association (PNGAAA), was the first runner-up and Miss Manus Snax Vanessa Knight was second runner-up.

The Miss Friendship title went to Miss National Gaming Control Board Nicole Jeune and Miss Photogenic went to Miss Digicel-Boroko Rotary Hariesa Tau.

Under the new concept, each entrant’s sponsor paid a nomination fee of K30,000 to PNG Red Cross.

A total of K240,000 was raised.