Miss World 2007: 1st December

[Napoleon Solo]

BELIZE - Felicita ARZU

• Age: 22
• Occupation: Student
• Height: 175

Felicita was born and raised in Orange Walk Town, Belize, a country with many physical attractions such as: ancient Mayan temples; second largest barrier reef in the world; rainforest and many islands called Cayes, it has been described by many as “Mother Nature’s Best Kept Secret”. She recently graduated with a Bachelors Degree (Honors) in English Education, and plans to pursue a masters & doctoral degree in education. Her ambition is to become a top executive in the Ministry of Education and NPO Foundation for Youth. Hobbies & Sporting activities include: Singing (crowned karaoke champion 2004, hired to perform at various events); listening to soul and reggae music; dancing; reading; travelling; track; baseball; volleyball; and was a presenter at the annual Belizean Poet Recognition Award. Felicita’s personal motto is: “Everything happens for a reason, nothing happens by Chance”. She works for what she has and is thankful for what is given to her.

[Napoleon Solo]

BOLIVIA - Sandra Lea HERNANDEZ SAAVEDRA

• Age: 22
• Occupation: Student
• Height: 174

Sandra was born and grew up in Cochabamba, Bolivia, a country diverse in both cultural and ethnic terms. Growing up on a dairy and chicken farm she learned how to drive a tractor before driving a car. Sandra has completed one year of her studies in International Commerce, her future ambition is to graduate from University and work in this field. Since the age of 17 she has also worked for LAB (Bolivian Airlines) as a flight attendant, this has enabled her to see many different countries. She adores Chinese food, Peanut soup and Charque. She enjoys singing and aerobics. Personal mottoes are: “Be the best at whatever you do” and
“Go ahead, always ahead until you reach the stars”.

[Napoleon Solo]

BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA - Gordana TOMIĆ

• Age: 17
• Occupation: Student
• Height: 178

Gordana was born in the ancient city of Tuzla and grew up in the shadow of Mount Majevica in Lopare. She is at secondary school and has plans to become an architect. During her term breaks she is a photographic model. Sporting interests are: skating, swimming, basketball and has a Brown Belt Second Dan in Karate. Gordana has studied Latin and modern dance styles, acted in local teenage TV shows and organised her school’s Christmas show for charity. Favourite food is the traditional Bosnian dishes as well as French and Italian cuisine. The motto that drives her is “With strong will and effort we can make our dreams come true”.

[Napoleon Solo]

BOTSWANA - Malebogo MARUMOAGAE

• Age: 24
• Occupation: Representing her country
• Height: 166

Malebogo grew up in a village named Tonota, it is just 30 km south of Francistown. In spite of rapid development, Tonota has still retained much of its rural social order and keeps up with stereotypical village gossip. Malebogo was crowned just after graduating from university with a bachelor’s degree in economics and population studies, she has worked as a temporary teacher, and taken an assignment as a research assistant with a local economic policy institute. After she has completed her duties as Miss Botswana, she plans to continue her studies for a Masters degree in (health) economics. Hobbies and sporting interests include: collecting art, reading, writing, playing guitar, ballroom & Latin dancing, listening to rhythm and blues and playing badminton. Malebogo’s personal motto is: “To whom much is given, much is expected”.

[Napoleon Solo]

BRAZIL - Regiane ANDRADE

• Age: 23
• Occupation: Representing her country
• Height: 173

Regiane was born and raised in Sao Bento do Sul, in the state of Santa Catarina, It is a small state colonised by German and Polish people, and is know for its exports in furniture. Regiane has already completed an internship at a social security office and intends to pursue a career in Psychology after completing her duties as Miss Brazil. Hobbies & sporting activities include: reading singing, song writing, listening to Brazilian pop songs, Latin dancing, running and swimming, and is particularly fond of German food. Personal motto is: “Not knowing that it was impossible, I went ahead and achieved it, so can you”.

[Napoleon Solo]

BULGARIA - Paolina RACHEVA

• Age: 19
• Occupation: Student
• Height: 178

Paolina grew up in the town of Rousse, known for its 19th & 20th century Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture, it is also a significant Bulgarian river port. She is currently studying economics and management, her ambition is to be an excellent manager. Paolina enjoys: reading; cinema; volleyball; modern ballet, traditional Bulgarian dancing (she won the regional dance competition); and listening to all music from traditional to disco and R’n’B. Her motto is: “The secret of the success is in the perseverance to the aim”.

[Napoleon Solo]

CANADA - Sara GHULAM

• Age: 18
• Occupation: Model and Singer
• Height: 177

Sara was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, a country she considers to be the home of freedom, opportunity, equality and multiculturalism. Sara’s father was born in Pakistan of Indian origin and her mother is half Maltese and half Scottish. Having completed High School with Honours; working in an elementary school as a co-operative teacher; she is now working as a model and is an upcoming Artist Singer. Her ambition is to be a recognised singer/songwriter and is already working on her demo CD. Hobbies & sporting interests include: reading, acting, volleyball, hip-hop, R’n’B, and Jazz. Favourite food is chicken fried rice with barbecue wings with a glass of coconut water. Personal motto is: “Do not be intimidated by the magnitude of your dreams. Take small steps and you will get to where you want to be”.

[Napoleon Solo]

CAYMAN ISLANDS - Rebecca PARCHMENT

• Age: 25
• Occupation: Brand Manager
• Height: 178

Rebecca grew up in the Cayman Islands, well known for their beautiful beaches, friendly people and tasteful food. She graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and major in Marketing, she is currently working as a Brand Manager. Her plans are to return to get her Masters degree, then start out with a small business. Hobbies and sporting interests are: Tap, modern & jazz dance; working out; netball; volleyball; tennis; listening to the music of her best friend, Wayne Hall, who sings and writes his own music; she loves to fish, and dive for lobster and conch, she is a real island girl! Rebecca has two mottoes: “There is only one you in this world, take pride in it”. “You have one life, live every moment to its fullest”.

[Napoleon Solo]

CHILE - Bernardita ZUNIGA HUESBE

• Age: 24
• Occupation: Student
• Height: 176

Bernardita grew up in Vina Del Mar, a seaside city in Chile. She is currently studying industrial design, her ambition is to be a Community Leader. She enjoys every kind of dance; volleyball, basketball, yoga, travel, listening to every kind of music from classical to alternative; and looking after her two dogs named Lucy and Emilio. Her favourite food is sushi and fresh vegetables. Personal motto is: “If you want … you can”.

[Napoleon Solo]

CHINA PR - Zi Lin ZHANG

• Age: 23
• Occupation: Secretary
• Height: 182

Zi Lin was born in Shi Jia Zhuang City in Hei Bei Province, then moved to the capital, Beijing, Beijing will be host city to the 2008 Olympic Games. She attended the University of Science & Technology and attained a Degree in Business Administration, and is now working as a company secretary. Hobbies and sporting interests include: travel; reading; watching movies, writing, sports; 100 meters jump & hurdle, triple jump, swimming, both classical and folk dancing, and listing to folk music. Her favourite food is; fruit, chocolate, and ice cream. Zi Lin’s personal motto is “Where there’s a will there’s a way”.

[Napoleon Solo]

CHINESE TAIPEI - Yen-Chin LI

• Age: 22
• Occupation: Model
• Height: 172

Yen-Chin grew up in Taiwan, a country full of history. She graduated from Senior High School and is now working as a professional model, her ambition is to become a ‘superstar’. Hobbies and sporting interests are: reading; singing; listening to pop-music; new jazz and ballroom dancing; golf and table tennis, her favourite food is seafood. Personal motto is “Never say die!”.

[Napoleon Solo]

COLOMBIA - María José TORRENEGRA

• Age: 23
• Occupation: Representing her country
• Height: 176

Maria José comes from Barranquilla in the North of Colombia, a city with a warm climate all year round. She has completed her MBA and is currently fulfilling her role as Miss Colombia; her ambition is to set up a business in merchandising. She also studied ballet and folk dances; one of her accomplishments was to be chosen to dance in the Barranquilla Carnival. Maria likes Latin and Spanish cinema, travel and Latin music, especially Shakira. Her sports are athletics, softball and roller-skating, as well as traditional and modern dance. Favourite food is: seafood, vegetables and fruit. The family pet is a canary that sings beautifully to them in the morning. Her motto is “The easy things in life last a short while, but things done with effort last for ever”.

[Napoleon Solo]

COSTA RICA - Wendy CORDERO SANCHEZ

• Age: 19
• Occupation: Student
• Height: 175

Wendy comes from the province of Cartago, Costa Rica, a small country with a big history, its main attraction is its ecological conservations. She has won a scholarship and will study psychology in human relations, her ambition is to be a social worker with children suffering from paralysis and mental problems. She has already gained valuable experience in working in the Hospital Max Peralta. Wendy loves jazz, classical and modern music, tap and Latin dance, singing, exercising, running, swimming, reading and going to the cinema. She has two mottoes: “My way to see the life is to live today, to close the eyes all the nights knowing that everyday that I did it to the best of my ability” and “To be happy is the reason of being all but to give happiness is a personal commitment”.

[Napoleon Solo]

CROATIA - Tajana JEREMIC

• Age: 17
• Occupation: Student
• Height: 172

Tajana was born in Vukovar, the biggest river port in eastern Croatia. Tajana is a high school student in the process of completing a course for cosmetic technicians, her dream is to open a Health & Fitness Centre. She enjoys: travel, nail art, make-up, body painting, modern dance, listening to R’n’B and playing volleyball. Some of the most interesting assignments she has had have been fashion shows and working on a catalogue for Croatian designers. Her favourite food is fruit & vegetables. Her motto is: “Be Positive”.

[Napoleon Solo]

CURACAO - Mckeyla Antoinette RICHARDS

• Age: 19
• Occupation: Student
• Height: 180

Mckeyla grew up in Willemstad, in the district of Vredenberg, on the tropical island of Curacao. She is currently a student at University, with an ambition to become a Police Officer. During her vacation McKeyla worked for a project development company on an assignment about ‘Mother’s Day’. Hobbies & Sporting interests include: acting, singing, dancing, listening to the local island music and RnB, and swimming. Her favourite food is Pasta.