Courtesy of: The Morning News
By: Rosalie Klein
Miss World is one of the major international beauty pageants, attracting 130 contestants annually. Aruba is a very tiny spot on the globe, but this year’s representative, Larissa Leeuwe, left a big impression on judges and contenders alike.
Placing in the top twenty overall, she is the first contestant from Aruba to be named in the top ten for their “Beauty with a Purpose” project, in the decade that this category has been an important element of the pageant.
“Since the Beauty with a Purpose ethos was incorporated into Miss World, millions of pounds have been raised and countless hours of hard work have been carried out across the globe,” explain franchise representatives. “As well as the official Beauty With A Purpose Charity, many other outlets of these selfless activities have been utilized through the years.”
Larissa chose to address the issue of domestic violence, championing five Aruban foundations focused on it various elements to protect and assist children and battered women and offering family counseling.. She organized fundraisers and information campaigns. Her video chronicling her project can be viewed on the Miss World website:
http://www.missworld.com/BeautywithPurpose/2013-09-18/Aruba-BWAP-Project-2013/
Larissa arrived back on Aruba on Monday afternoon after spending nearly a month in Bali, Indonesia for the pageant, with her parents at her side the entire time. It was a 26-hour journey via Hong Kong, Vancouver, Canada, and New York to arrive on the island looking fresh, beautiful and every inch the beauty queen!
