Each week, St. Lucia News Online will feature a biography for a contestant in the Mizik Mélé Mélange Creole Pageant which is set for September 27. We have already featured Kaysia Verneuil, Kerniya Joseph and Lauryanne SooChan. Today we feature Mandy Leo.
I am 20-year-old Mandy Leo, the only daughter of my mother’s three children. I reside in the heart of the cultural community of Monchy, Quarter of Gros Islet.
I attended the Castries Comprehensive Secondary School where I completed my CXC examinations in 2011. I then went to the National Skills Development Centre where I did a course in customer service, level one. I also did level two of that course at Monroe College.
I am an outgoing person. My hobbies include going to the beach or river, long walks, reading, socialising and listening to music. Culturally, I’ve always been part of activities in my community, youth groups and planning committees, serving as an active member of the executive board.
I am a single parent to an 18-month-old boy, Ahmil. Z. Verdant – my heart and soul, my motivation.
I am currently unemployed but it’s my dream one day to become an air hostess. Though I have never traveled, I hope to travel the world learning new languages, meeting people and seeing new places.
I have never participated in a pageant. I hope this experience would help me develop more love for our culture and also help me to rebuild lost confidence from my past circumstances. If I win this pageant, I would like to help in revitalising our creole culture, especially La Rose.
“A bird sitting on a branch is never afraid of the branch breaking because it’s trust is not on the branch but on it’s own wings.” Always believe in yourself…..
