around the community as they prepare for the beauty pageant in August.

The 10 girls, who represent the Island's parishes, greeted the public along with Johnny Barnes last week at the Trimingham Hill roundabout.

And yesterday, they gathered at Albouys Point for a Royal Gazette photo shoot in which they expressed a real sense of excitement for the upcoming contest.

Miss Sandys North Shauntaa Burch, 23, said being in the pageant will be a dream come true.

"This is something that I have always wanted to do, and I feel that it is not just about winning,'' she said. "You also experience a lot of things which in turn teaches you how to be a woman, and how to dress properly.'' Miss Southampton East Niki Sherlock, 23, said she saw the pageant as a chance to do something different.

"It will give me a chance to meet other people and do something for myself.'' Contest promoter Mr. Terry Smith, staging the event for the first time since 1992, said so far everything was going well.

"The girls are entering their third week of training and they are feeling quite good, and they are improving.

"They are also really looking forward to their other engagements.'' Mr. Smith said plans for the August 13 contest were shaping up despite the fact that he could not get super model Iman to appear as a celebrity judge.

However, he said another super model was being sought.

"The community has really started to accept the girls very well. I just hope they support the pageant because in the long run the winner will represent Bermuda in an international pageant.'' Mr. Smith added: "We need to get that national pride going.'' The schedule of events for the contestants continues on Wednesday with a visit to the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

On July 10 they visit the Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan at the Cabinet Office and then the Mayor of Hamilton the Rt. Wor. William Boyle. And on July 17 they will greet guests at the Sonesta Beach Resort.

Also scheduled is a Miss Talent fashion show at The Club, and an afternoon tea at Government House.

The pageant will be on August 13 at 8 p.m. at the Marriott Castle Harbour Hotel.