The Miss Bermuda Pageant has named the 17 women hoping to represent the Island in the 61st annual Miss World Pageant later this year.The women, aged 18 to 25, will compete for the title of Miss Bermuda at the Fairmont Southampton in June.Cratonia Smith will represent Sandys; Kylah Burch, Southampton; Deonae Dickinson, Paget West; Dawnita Smith, Paget East; Selita Crockwell, Warwick North; Davika Hill, Warwick East; Geisha Saltus, Pembroke and Kalvilicia Joell, Devonshire West.Other contestants include Davina Cannonier, who will represent Devonshire East; Sharmaine Landy, Hamilton Parish West; Renee Tucker, Hamilton Parish East; Jasmine Simmons, Hamilton Parish North;Rachel Sawden, Hamilton Parish South; Alisha Phillips, Smith’s West; Channing Dill, Smith’s East; Cheyenne Darrell, St George’s West and Jana Lynn Outerbridge, St George’s East.Organiser Milika Seymour yesterday said: “We wanted to give our girls training not just for the pageant, but for life.“They’ve been coached by a business etiquette professional, who’s been going over effective speaking with them. And of course there’s public speaking and interview skills, along with the normal stage presentation skills.“They’re still going through different seminars and they’re all really enjoying it. Their input in this process has been important too.”The pageant has not been held in Bermuda over ten years the Island’s last was in 1997, Ms Seymour said. Organisers hope to attract sponsorship to keep the pageant going.“We want this to become a yearly event, definitely. We have the contract for Miss World so we can send our top winner to that event, which is great publicity for Bermuda.“And these ladies are focused on bettering themselves and their community, so we hope people rally behind this as much as possible.”Miss Bermuda Gina Swainson went on to win the 1979 Miss World Pageant; Zina Minks placed in the top 15 competitors for the 1980 Miss World title.The Miss Bermuda Pageant will take place at the Fairmont on June 12. Tickets will go on sale on www.bdatix.bm on March 31.Useful web link: www.missbermuda.bm.