Contestants of the Miss Teen Bermuda Island's Pageant 2008 were greeted with a full house at the City Hall Theatre on the night for the unveiling of the new winner.

The evening began as the Island's beauty queens of the past and present walked the red carpet at the start of what was to truly be a memorable and elegant affair. The night was off to a successful start as family, friends and other supporters filled the hall with excitement as they chanted and roared for their favourite contestants.

Along with supporters of family and friends, the City Hall found itself with the presence of Minister Dale Butler, other important guests, and a panel of judges with resumes entailing elements of great honour and prestige. Included in the panel of judges were experienced and former pageant queens, as well as buyers and management of major department stores on the Island.

The potential Miss Teen Bermuda Islands contestants quickly revealed to the audience the great task that the judges had at hand, with their graceful opening number. It was obvious that great amounts of hard work had been produced from all those who made the event a success.

Throughout the entire evening, the shining attributes of the contestants were showcased: Miss Sandys North, Jasmine Caisey; Miss Sandys South, Sierra Reid; Miss Southampton, Deneisha Hayward; Miss Warwick, Diamond-Lynn Hill; Miss Paget, Dalisa Johnston; Miss Pembroke, Sadre Steede; Miss Smith's, Alyssa Rose; and Miss St. George's, Astoria Smith, displayed nothing less than the best as they were judged for the crowning of Miss Teen Bermuda Islands 2008.

Each girl brought a different factor into the event, which was revealed by their personal styles, platform choices and other remarks presented by the contestants throughout the entire night. It was these elements of diversity, which allowed the contestants to produce such a beautiful competition.

However, the night did share its mishaps, as the hosts of the pageant at times showed obvious moments of confusion and disorder. Nevertheless, those minor setbacks were outshone by the confidence and pride embodied by the potential pageant queens.

Before the winner of Miss Teen Bermuda Islands 2008 could be crowned, the audience and contestants alike anticipated the final results as a winner for each individual category for the pageant was announced.

Each contestant was presented with a prestigious certificate of participation. As well as this award, Astoria Smith was crowned Miss Talent, Sierra Reid was crowned Miss Teen Super Model, Dalisa Johnston was crowned Miss Sweet Charity, and Alyssa Rose appeared to have swiped the competition winning three titles; being crowned Miss Photogenic, Miss Congeniality and obtaining the award for Best Personal Style.

At an attempt to try and ease the anticipation felt by contestants and supporters alike, the audience enjoyed performances by the dance group Evolution, as well as the lip syncing sensation "Twiggy" Daniels. Nerves were also calmed by supportive remarks from the creator and producer of the pageant, Terry (Tee'L) Smith of Tee'L Productions; as well as the constant encouragement given by family and friends in the audience.

As the competition was coming to a close, the top five contestants were announced. Miss Sandy's South, Miss Smith's, Miss Warwick, Miss Paget and Miss Southampton all gave final showcases of themselves, as final questions were answered and platform speeches were announced. Regardless of the overall winner, each girl presented and gave possible solutions to growing issues in our country, such as teenage relationship abuse, road fatalities and gang violence. Each topic left the audience members affected by the powerful platform deliveries.

As each of the determining segments came to a close and final points were tallied, the winner of Miss Teen Bermuda Islands 2008 was announced. Within the prestigious Top Five field of contestants, Miss Paget, Dalisa Johnston, was named fourth runner up. Miss Southampton, Deneisha Hayward was named third runner up. Miss Sandy's South; Sierra Reid was named second runner up, which left our final two competitors waiting for the final announcement. Excitement and support was felt for both ladies as family and friends roared in the audience.

However in the end, Miss Warwick, Diamond-Lynn Hill respectfully and honourably took the title of first runner up, which left Alyssa Rose, Miss Smith's, stealing the pageant as she was crowned Miss Teen Bermuda Islands 2008.

The former reigning queen of 2007, Miss Alexa Lightbourne showed her support as she awarded her new successor with the crown, officially bringing her thriving reign to a close. Excitement and joy filled the theatre, as audience members, judges and fellow contestants stood to their feet as they applauded the tearful, yet overjoyed Miss Rose; the new Miss Teen Bermuda Islands of 2008.

The newly crowned queen wasted no time, getting plenty of congratulatory remarks from ecstatic family members, friends and other supporters.

The Royal Gazette was able to sit down with Miss Rose moments after she had won her title.

When asked of her initial reactions to the final results, she replied: "I was just surprised and so honoured. I still can't believe it.

"I'm so proud of myself and all the other girls as well. This was truly an awesome experience and I have no regrets.

"As cliché as this sounds, this just shows that at the end of a difficult road, hard work really does pay off."

Miss Rose feels that the most beneficial element she received in helping her to obtain the crown was the on-going support of her family, friends and fellow pageant contestants.

To end on a bright note in the interview, Miss Rose was simply asked, what will she do when she left?

She replied with a smile: "Go home, try and get some sleep, and get ready to present myself to Bermuda, and be a role model for the island!"

From all the elements of glamour and elegance presented throughout the evening's prestigious event, Miss Alyssa Rose of Smith's parish, the new Miss Teen Bermuda Islands 2008 appears as though she is ready to represent herself and her country in St. Kitts at the Miss Digicel Haynes Smith Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant, in December, with all the characteristics she feels her newly given title stands for.