Bermuda's natural beauty has always been a selling point, and one young beauty, Miss Teen Bermuda Islands, is encouraging her peers to join her in enhancing Bermuda's beauty.

Miss. Alyssa Rose is committed to fulfilling the platform she proposed on August 17 while competing for the prestigious title.

"I'm proud of my Island, and I like to show it off," Miss. Rose said. "But recently I haven't seen much to be proud of."

Wanting to make a difference and be proud again, she is committed to raising the profile of Keep Bermuda Beautiful (KBB), and its work in reducing the negative impact of residents on the natural environment.

In particular, Marine Clean-up Weekend, from September 20 to September 21, is an opportunity for young people to get off the couch, out of the air conditioning and into the fresh air.

Particular 'hot spots' around the Island have been identified as needing special attention, and Miss Rose is encouraging young people to turn up at a particular location and do their bit for their country.

"We all live in the same community, so unless you want to trip up on soda bottles, and have our marine life choked on soda wrappers and plastic bags, you need to do something. If we don't treat our environment properly now, the later generations won't have what we have," she said.

Acknowledging that picking up other people's trash can be dirty and smelly, she pointed out that the personal sacrifice involved was "nothing compared to a clean community, a happy community".

She is challenging her fellow students at the Bermuda High School to get involved and to involve their families, and hopes that her fellow Miss Teen contestants will do the same at their respective schools.

Young people can take a lead by encouraging their parents to recycle at home and adopt better habits themselves.

They can encourage their youth groups or neighbours to join them in making Bermuda better, she said.

To learn more about the Marine Clean-up Weekend, log on to the Keep Bermuda Beautiful website www.kbb.bm.

Sign up to help at one of the designated hot spots, or let them know the area you're adopting for the day, or month, or year.