Bold and beautiful Alneisha Outerbridge has been crowned this year?s Miss Teen Bermuda Island of 2006 ? the youngest to ever receive the title.

The pageant was held in the Southampton Princess Mid-Ocean Amphitheatre on Sunday night when 11 young ladies ? between the ages of 13 and 17 ? displayed their talents to fans.

Representing Pembroke West, 14-year-old Alneisha was also the first contestant in the competition?s six-year history, to receive two major titles: Miss Teen Bermuda Island and Miss Photogenic. The teenager said the dual title ?gives me a new sense of responsibility to be looked upon as a good role model?.

Mental preparation was key for the pageant, The CedarBridge Academy student said.

?I prepared myself for the worst although I was aiming for the best. Keeping focused on my goals and getting all the information that was necessary to become successful in the pageant.

?I always expected great things of myself but I never thought that I would be in such a prestigious competition, competing for the big title.

?I felt so proud of myself for doing what some girls have the ability to do but not the courage to do.?

She realises that her competitors - who she felt were also worthy - would have loved to be in her position but explained that ?you have to realise that you come first and not focus too much on your friends being disappointed because you made it further than them.

?You are your worst enemy and it is you at the end of the day that will stop yourself from reaching the goals you deserve because you let your selflessness hinder you from greatness.?

She hopes to use this new role as an opportunity to ?help build my confidence, my interpersonal skills and to be able to get at my true beauty comfortably without feeling intimidated by my crowd or audience?.

In reference to ?older and younger generations? she would like for them ?to be happy with themselves and confident in their potential that they may go out and show everyone their greatness and teach them to be prosperous with their God-given gifts?.

According to Alneisha, Personal Style was the most exciting scene in the pageant. ?I think it was fun because it gave me a chance to show off my style? ? which she describes as ?a businessy-sophisticated look without being too stiff. I like to have suits, I love suits ? jackets, skirts and definitely pumps ? I love heels ? but having a youthful touch to it.? She said she has always had an interest in the fashion sense of business women.

Her hobbies include reading and story and poetry writing.

?I also like to cook and spend time by myself to think about different situations or crisis and come up with a way to solve them,? she said.

She said those issues could be relating to herself, her family, friends, community or the world in general.

One of those issues is the local housing crisis, for which she earnestly wants to have an impact on change: ?I believe there are too many problems that we as Bermudians are being faced with to be worrying about whether or not we?re going to have a home when we get in this evening or if we can afford to pay rent, bills, pay for insurance or even keep up with basic household commodities.?

Her strong personality comes out through her words. ?I like to speak and when I speak I like to represent myself.?

She said one of the lessons learned over the past two months was ?when we make our speeches to show some sort of conviction and something that comes from within. Something that you really believe in.?

Alneisha describes herself as ?diligent, resilient, someone who has self pride and an idea of their own self worth and someone who could look through adversity to be the best?.

She advises girls to ?be proud of who you are and not sad about what you are not?.

?Life has challenges that may seem impossible to overcome but this is when you have to dig deep within yourself to find the tools it takes to get over the mountain.?

Terry Smith is the producer, director and promoter of the Miss Teen Bermuda Island Pageant, which ?gives the young ladies tools to help themselves throughout their life?.

That includes basic grooming, mock interviews, etiquette and speech training.

?I think Alneisha is going to bring a lot of excitement to the community because she is very young, outspoken and also very articulate,? he said. ?And I think that because she is young, a lot of things she expresses will come with a freshness.?