Above: Miss BVI Sharie B. de Castro. Photo: provided

Her lifetime commitment to academic excellence is seen through her membership in organizations such as Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Order of Omega and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, where along with her commitment to service, she also exhorts the qualities of community service and sisterhood.

Here in the BVI, she is very passionate about her involvement in youth development initiatives, especially the Save The Seed initiative that is spearheaded by The New Life Baptist Church. Known to many as "The Watchman," she is an acclaimed poet who has organized four productions in the B.V.I.; portraying ministry through the arts: song, dance, instrumental and in particular her very own poetry. If asked to describe herself in one word, she would cleverly use the acronym P.O.E.T. - Powerful Orator Expressing Truth, who aspires to be one of the youngest published authors in the British Virgin Islands. Her first book of poetry will be released in the upcoming months. She also hopes to one day establish a performing arts venue in the B.V.I. where the ability of our people can be realized and revealed.

She is not only committed to unlocking her own potential, but as a Secondary English Teacher at the Elmore Stoutt High School, she has become a facilitator, helping her students to accomplish their goals, dreams and aspirations as well. She encourages them every day to dream with their eyes wide open. Among her many appearances, events and opportunities for travel, one of the highlights of her reign thus far was the trip to Berlin, Germany with the BVI Tourist Board in March 2013. While attending the world's leading travel show ITB Berlin, Miss BVI's duties included hosting the media, a BVI hosted event for friends of the BVI in Germany and she also had the honor of being a presenter at the Senses Awards ceremony which is an annual award given to the best luxury hotels and lifestyle resorts. She also looks forward to being the BVI representative at the 2013 Miss Universe Pageant.

As the reigning Miss British Virgin Islands Ms. de Castro is committed to the platform of Youth Development in Education, as she aims to "Make A Difference" in our beloved British Virgin Islands.

Miss BVI would also like to take this opportunity to welcome all the delegates from across the Caribbean to her home, the host country of the Miss Caribbean World Pageant, the beautiful British Virgin Islands.