Virginia Ling Gridley, 22, was crowned the new Miss CNMI Universe on Saturday.
“I’m more confident in my intelligence than my outward appearance so I’m glad I performed well,” said Gridley after the pageant held at Dai-Ichi Hotel’s Hibiscus Hall.
Christine Junelle D. Cunanan won the 2002 Miss CNMI International title, while Shara Dela Cruz was named 1st runner up.
Gridley and the 21-year-old Cunanan impressed the seven-member panel of judges and the audience of over 500 with their witty and straight-to-the-point answers.
Of the eight candidates, Ladonna Lynn Castro, 21, won the Miss Photogenic Award, while Gridley bagged the Best National Costume Award.
Loni M. Perry, 20, received the 2002 Miss Congeniality Award, while Anna Marie Manibusan, 20, got the Miss Northern Marianas Beauty Pageant Association Spirit Award.
The other pageant contestants were Katrina Cabrera and Kristina Diaz.
In the first round of the question-and-answer portion, Gridley was asked about her priority if she were the governor. “Investment in education,” she replied.
Asked by one of the seven judges what she would do if she lost in the pageant, Cunanan said she would “walk away confident,” knowing that she “did her best.”
In the second question-and-answer portion for the three finalists, Gridley said social responsibilities should take precedence over personal obligations.
A world history teacher at Marianas High School, Gridley aims to study anthropology.
“Unfortunately, there have been few anthropologists who have had the desire to study the complexity of Micronesian cultures, and even fewer of any Micronesian descent. I would like to fill that hole and become a pioneer in a field I have deep emotional and academic ties with,” she said.
Off to Puerto Rico
Gridley is headed for Puerto Rico on May 9 to compete with at least 79 other women vying for the 2002 Miss Universe crown.
The pageant is set for May 29, said Gerard B. Salas, president of the Northern Marianas Beauty Pageant Association, during a press conference after the pageant.
In September, Cunanan will compete in the 2002 Miss International competition in Japan.
“Ms. Gridley and in fact all the eight contestants this year represented the most beautiful women in the commonwealth. Anyone of them can represent us and (bring home the) crown,” said Salas.
The eight contestants performed a dance number to pay tribute to the heroes of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the U.S.
According to Gridley, the beauty pageant is a “morale booster” and an instrument for “unity.”
Dela Cruz, who was one of the youngest contestants, said she would again join next year’s pageant and vowed to “do better.”
According to Manibusan and Castro, the pageant’s most difficult moments were during the first stage appearance, the question-and-answer portion and the swimsuit portion.
