Miss Teen Bermuda, Alexa Lightbourne, 16, finished impressively in a Caribbean beauty pageant, placing ahead of a host of other island queens.

At the Digicel Miss Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant in St. Kitts on Monday, Anguilla won, Cuba took first runner-up, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, second and Bermuda placed third runner-up. In all, 13 countries were represented.

While boarding a plane home from St. Kitts yesterday, Miss Lightbourne told The Royal Gazette: "I was a bit nervous, but I knew I had to represent Bermuda well and I was optimistic with the results.

"Since this is my first time competing in an overseas competition such as this, I felt that I had to set the standard for the girls representing Bermuda who are coming behind me.

"However, I'm enthused with the results here, obviously, I would have liked to have won, but I'm fine with the results."

In the competition, judges looked at each girl's speech, production capabilities, ambassadorial dress, evening wear and talent.

"I thought the production part was the hardest because we only had two hours to learn a dance and about four hours after that we were judged," Miss Lightbourne reflected.

Terry Smith, producer and director of the Miss Teen Bermuda Pageant, who also accompanied Miss Lightbourne, along with chaperone Jane Smith, believed the young Bermudian's participation in the event was a huge accomplishment.

"I think it's a very important first time," Mr. Smith stated, "the actual place (third runner-up) is quite an accomplishment and Alexa has set a standard for the young ladies coming up behind her.

"This is the first time that Miss Teen Bermuda has taken part in this competition and we'll definitely take part in this competition next year.

"It's a very well-rounded pageant, comprised of talent, speech as well as international costumes, evening wear and it provides Bermuda with the opportunity to showcase local talent as well.

"Ms Christopher from In Between Boutique on Court Street, she actually put together the production element which was a pirate's costume – the pageant also allows the community to get more involved with the pageant – it's a good thing overall."

Miss Lightbourne was crowned Miss Teen Bermuda last August after beating out nine other contestants.