Family Values Help Teen Queen Win Crown
Whatever you do, do it whole heartedly or don’t do it at all. The Simmons’ family policy assisted Miss Balia Brothers Matilda Simmons win the Miss Duavata Northern Crime Prevention Carnival teen crown.
The Year Eight student of Labasa Primary School said her father David Simmons, an employee of Fiji Sugar Corporation Labasa Mill made this policy.
“I was so confident that I’d win that I asked my mother, Meripa Simmons earlier to prepare a thank you note for me to say before the crowd,” Matilda said.
“My mother was the first runner up in this carnival in 2012 and I found it easier to prepare for this weeklong carnival having the expert beside me,” she said. “I dedicate this win to my parents who had sacrificed their time, money and energy to make my dream come true.
“I had advocated on child emotional abuse,” the 13-year-old residing at the Fiji Sugar Corporation quarters in Labasa said.
“To my fellow five queen contestants, I would like to say that they are also winners.
“It is definitely not easy to stand in front of the crowd and remember a mouthful of words making sure that we don’t put ourselves to shame.”
Mrs Simmons, 39, who works as a chef at Kwong Tang Restaurant was in tears while hugging Matilda. “I feel so happy and proud to see my daughter win the crown,” Mrs Simmons said. “Whatever learning experience I had during the pageant, I used it to help my eldest daughter,” she said. The second runner-up was Miss Lal’s Wedding Decoration Sainiana Manuca and first runner-up was Miss North Waste Management.