Miss World BVI Sasha O. E. Wintz's passion for helping children living with Downs Syndrome sinks deep as it affects one of her very beloved cousins, Jaquan Tyrese Wintz (left). Photo: VINO

Proud parents! Mr Lawrence C. Wintz and Mrs Yonette R. Adams-Wintz with their daughter and Miss World BVI 2015/16 Sasha O. E. Wintz. Photo: VINO

The swimwear segment, according to Ms Wintz, was a challenge for her as she said it was not something that she would usually do, 'like walking out strutting my stuff in swimwear, but even though I didn’t win the swimwear segment I did my best.' Photo: VINO

Miss World BVI franchise holder Mr Damion C. Grange (left) and Miss World BVI 2014/15 Miss Rosanna K. Chichester with the contestants after the crowning moment. Photo: VINO

Saxophonist Jeremy Vanterpool serenades the contestants of the Miss World BVI pageant on October 3, 2015. Photo: VINO

A section of the audience at Miss World BVI pageant on October 3, 2015. Photo: VINO

Sasha O. E. Wintz using her talent to good effect at the Miss World BVI pageant on October 3, 3015. Photo: VINO

The Miss World BVI 2015 contestants in swimwear. Photo: VINO

There were many royalties in the house at the Miss World BVI 2015 pageant, including the reigning Miss BVI Adorya R. Baly and former Miss World BVI Kirtis Kassandra Malone (right)

Her passion for working with children living with Downs Syndrome sinks deep as it affects one of her very beloved cousins, Jaquan Tyrese Wintz. “Imagine hearing the news that your 3-month old cousin has to do a heart surgery because of a defect which occurs in children with Downs Syndrome. I have converted my experience and an unofficial experiment into my Beauty with a Purpose platform,” said Ms Wintz in her introductory speech at the Miss World BVI Pageant at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium in Paraquita Bay on October 3, 2015.

Downs Syndrome is a set of physical and mental traits caused by a gene problem that happens before birth. This risk is increased when a female over 35 becomes pregnant. This lifelong condition affects the all-round development of some two hundred and twenty thousand children born worldwide each year.

The crowd sat quietly in rapt attention as Ms Wintz told her story. She said that when she first saw her cousin a few days after birth she noticed his eyes were slanted, his ears small, his face flat and his neck was short. “I realised that before me is a child just like others I thought were different to me because of the way they looked. I became very close to him,” she said.

Sasha says she sings, reads stories and plays games with him every time they meet. And she soon realised that with regular interaction he has become eager to learn over the years. Now at 8 years old, even though he's not on par with his age group, he is in a regular school, reads, writes cursive and takes part in many outdoor activities. “Something his mom gives me much credit for.”

Wintz said she has come to the realisation that one does not have to always be a trained specialist to impact the lives of those with disabilities, but by realising that we are all God's creation, with tolerance, patience, love and compassion one can make a difference. “You cannot put a price tag on the joy these children experience when you take them for walks ,to the movies, do a makeover and more of which I do with Jaquan and Malesh…all Downs Syndrome kids, while their parents enjoy a bit of relaxation without them,” she added.

Miss World BVI pageant back after 14 years

Last night October 3, 2015 was an epic come back of the Miss World BVI pageant after a hiatus of some fourteen years. It saw a committee led my Mr Damion C. Grange working with four young women to put on a show and competition in a matter of just two months- with a very small group of sponsors.

The four young women are: the now Miss World BVI Sasha O. E. Wintz, First Runner Up Yadali Thomas-Santos, Bryana Nycol Robles-Dixon and Mindy Paul.

It is no secret that the contestants were all overwhelmed by the master creeper “stage fright” and “nervousness”, resulting in most of them faltering in some way or the other during the night.

It also attests to the fact that with just a couple of months to the staging of the Miss World Pageant in China, the committee, the community through their encouragement, and Ms Wintz have a lot of work to do, something she has acknowledged.

Unforgiving audience

During the question and answer segment, the audience was very unforgiving with one of the contestants who totally flopped when asked a question about one of the most dominant topics in the Virgin Islands- National Health Insurance (NHI).

Meanwhile, Wintz said that at every step of the way she had faith in herself that she would have won and, despite not winning a lot of the individual prizes, her confidence did not wane at any time.

Speaking about the most uncomfortable part of the pageant for her, the new Miss World BVI said having to go on stage wearing a swimsuit was a challenge for her. “That is not something that I would usually do, like walking out strutting my stuff in swimwear, but even though I didn’t win the swimwear segment I did my best.”