when she was crowned Miss Bermuda Islands 1993, walking away with a $10,000 cash prize and numerous gift vouchers.

Miss Hall, who represented Southampton, has a degree in sociology from Atlanta's Spelman College and plans to pursue a career in sex therapy after attending graduate school.

Her advice for Bermuda's youth was to be more aggressive, set goals and pursue them.

When asked what her dream was, she replied equality between the different sexes and generations.

Despite a less that half full Southampton Princess Empire Room, the 13 contestants competed for the title before an enthusiastic and supportive audience.

Last year's controversial winner Dianna Mitchell was on hand to crown Miss Hall, who also won Miss Photogenic, which landed the beauty an Olympus camera and several photoshoots.

Like Miss Mitchell, the beauty queen will travel to South Africa to represent the Island in the Miss World pageant.

Miss Bermuda Islands franchise holder Mr. Terry Smith came on stage before the winners were announced to tell the audience a great deal of work had gone into ensuring the contest was seen to be fair to avoid a repeat of last year's pageant when supporters of losing contestants booed the winner and made accusations of racial prejudice.

There was no pre-judging in this year's pageant, he said. The finalists would all compete with "clean score cards''.

Noting it was not a sell-out audience, he said quality was more important the quantity.

First runner-up was Miss Sandys Parish Shanika Woods, 22, and second runner up was Miss Warwick West Michelle Fray, 24.

The title of Miss Talent went to drama school graduate Miss Sandys South Amanda Petty, who wins a trip to Florida to take part in a talent search contest.

And Miss Paget Libby Cook was given the title of Miss Tourism. The judges panel consisted of politician Mr. Jimmy Williams, lawyer Mr. John Barritt, educator Ms Neletha Butterfield and jeweller Mr. Gregory Wilson.

READY FOR MISS WORLD -- Newly crowned Miss Bermuda Islands Kellie Hall, 22, takes her winning walk on stage of the Southampton Princess' Empire Room last night. The Southampton beauty also won the title of Miss Photogenic.