World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to welcome amazing Queen Nirodha Sudershini De Silva Mrs. USA United Nation International Ambassador 2019-2020.
Full name: Nirodha Sudershini De Silva
Title/Year: Mrs. USA United Nation International Ambassador 2019-2020
Mrs Sri Lanka for Mrs. United Nation International 2019
Miss. Sri Lanka for Miss University International 2004
Pageant System: United Nation International Pageant System
Zodiac sign: Capricorn
Hobbies: I often practice yoga and meditation which help my intellectual and spiritual development as well as build my inner strength my self-confidence. My Artistic activities include singing, dancing, acting, and photography.
Platform: Volunteering and Community Service Projects
Years competed: One year as Mrs; Two years as Miss
Countries visited: Canada, South Korea, Hong Kong, United Kingdom
Likes: Classical Music, Travelling, Dancing, Meditation, intellectual discussions about global issues.
Dislikes: Discrimination against others, Dishonesty, Pessimism by close associates, others not being on time for appointments, lack of passion and others not making eye contact when talking,
Status: Married
World Class Beauty Queens: Please tell us about yourself.
I am Dr. Nirodha De Silva and am originally from Sri Lanka. I reside, work and have been living in the United States for several years. I am a Professor of Applied Economics and also a researcher, author, and a community activist. My goal is to help underserved populations and those in our society that need help the most, especially by educating children and those who have struggled in their early lives. I am deeply interested in empowering women of all ethnic groups. Even when I was a child, I always thought about ways by which I could contribute to society. It is a joy to me that my passionate goal has been accomplished. My platform is the foundation of my service work because my determination is to make tangible contributions to the broader society and make our world a better place to live.
Being a strong woman both emotionally and spiritually, I successfully balance my family life, work life, and volunteering activities as they will eventually lead to a more progressive society with compassionate, ethical, and spiritual development. I want my community and people with limited resources to feel the positive impact of my work that made a positive difference in their life. One day I want to be remembered as one who brought people together and made all possible effort to leave a better world for those that come behind.
World Class Beauty Queens: What does women Empowerment means to you?
One of my great desires is to empower women of all ethnic groups. I believe women empowerment is providing the equal rights and accepting their participation in socioeconomic and political process and it will eventually strengthen communities. By encouraging and building a positive impact on women, they can make their own choices and promote self-worth, especially by providing mentoring and guidance to deprived women in the society. Each woman has strengths and weaknesses, and education is the key to have a bright future. I will always stand for rights of women and girls and they should not be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, and socioeconomic well-being.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your pageant history.
I attended my first pageant after finished the high school and that was in Sri Lanka. I was very happy when my name was announced for the top three candidates for the final round. After that I competed for Miss University Sri Lanka pageant for Miss University International Pageant and I won it. With that I represented Sri Lanka in the international platform, and it was my first global experience which was held in South Korea, in 2004. I decided to come back to competing in pageants because I love pageants, friendships, and undoubtedly, the fashion. In 2019, I crowned Mrs. USA United Nation International ambassador in the Mrs. United Nation International Pageant.
World Class Beauty Queens: What inspired you to do your first pageant?
Honestly, I had been watching pageants from my childhood. It intrigues me because of the energy it generates, the issues the pageants espouse and of course it is glamourous. Also, I realized that pageants not only focus on the candidate’s external appearance but also the personality, strengths, and confidence. The combination of all these factors motivated me to enter my first pageant several years ago. I was successful and has been competing since.
World Class Beauty Queens: Why did you choose to compete for your current title?
The content of the pageant and requirements impressed me, and the pageant was a unique one. I love travelling around the world. Meeting new friends, learning new cultures, watching remarkable places, volunteering, and contributing to service projects. For all these reasons, and other positive elements, I was encouraged to compete. Along with personal interviews, photoshoots, fashion wear and national costume events, the pageant actually inspired me that it was much more of a great experience rather than just a competition.
World Class Beauty Queens: To those unfamiliar with your pageant system please tell us what is it about?
The United Nation International Pageant welcomes women from each category and from many countries around the world. One of the pageant’s theme was “we believe every woman has a voice at any stage of her life.” Indeed, it gives the opportunity for women to come together on the international platform to share their passions and promote volunteering activities along with important service projects. It is actually a unique pageant as each contestant must have or had a background in volunteer work for their communities. Along with that, the pageant is more alluring with creativity and dances from around the world.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are you being judged on during the competition?
There are several items on which we are judged. These include: National costume session in which contestants present a national dress with an explanation and concept of the costume for the country they are representing. Evening gown session - this is on the grand finale where contestants wear an evening gown according to their choice. Fashion wear- candidates present a creative fashion wear in the finals. Apart from that, there is a photogenic round and each competitor is scored with an active photoshoot which evaluates their posing ability with various angles and camera appeal. Moreover, there is an interview round which contributes 25% of the final score. During the interview session, contestants are judged for their speaking, personality along with passion and optimism, community services, volunteering, etc.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your experience during the competition.
It is an experience of a lifetime for me. This was my second international pageant and, on both occasions, I believe that beauty pageant for me is a comprehensive learning experience with beauty, artistic expression, presentation, communication, and fashion. The winner has lots of responsibilities and acts as a role model for the community.
There are numerous benefits and experiences that are gained from beauty pageants as they help you to improve your self-esteem. The confidence and outgoing personalities you get from pageants help you on stage and in your everyday and professional lives. A person can really become good at public speaking and performing in front of others. This kind of oral presentation skills are helpful and valuable training for careers in music, broadcasting general professional positions, or other jobs requiring speaking in front of large groups.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your platform or what cause do you volunteer for.
I believe a platform is an integral part as it provides the opportunity to make a difference and a lasting impact in the lives of others. My platform is the foundation of my service work. Platform and the work we have put in towards achieving the end goal of our platform and therefore being passionate is absolutely necessary.
For the past several years, voluntary activities and community service projects have left an indelible mark on my life. I was crowned Miss University of Sri Lanka and represented Miss University International Pageant in Seoul, South Korea in 2004. I facilitated tree planting projects and educational activities for children and women in the border of North and South Korea in cooperation with UNESCO. Thereafter, I was appointed as a campus ambassador to Sri Lanka. I have served as a community and environmental volunteer in Sri Lanka and the U.S. As the coordinator of National Environmental Forum in my University, I built environmental awareness programs for school and university students in my hometown. As a professor, I teach, advise, and mentor students to improve their academic abilities and enhance their chances for future career. I also participate in research and community engagement projects that address food security, poverty alleviation and environmental issues in societies. I am an active volunteer for 4-H -STEAAM camp for high school students in Oklahoma by mentoring mathematics. The current Covid 19 pandemic is challenging in every aspect so it has limited may of the activities I planned. Through all these experiences, volunteering has been both an enlightening and inspiring opportunity for me to change the lives of those that need help the most in societies such as Sri Lanka, and in other nations around the world
World Class Beauty Queens: What appearances have you done with your title?
Volunteering and service projects. I am an active volunteer for 4-H – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Agriculture and Math (STEAAM) camp for high school students in Oklahoma by mentoring mathematics. There were several mathematics workshops for school kids that I engaged in through regular instructions. The current Covid 19 pandemic is challenging in every aspect so it has limited may of the activities I planned. After winning the title of Miss University Sri Lanka, I received an offer for as a TV presenter and worked for Rupavahini Corporation in Sri Lanka. Although I was invited for acting assignments, I was not able to engage with it as I heavily focused on my studies. Also, I appeared with fashion magazines.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are some of your achievements?
I am always been a high achiever in my family and professional life. While my strengths have helped me to develop my skills, my family gives me energy to be persistent. My family has been a great strength and achievement for me and because of it, I successfully balance my family life, work life, and volunteering activities as it will eventually lead to a more enlightened society. It was my childhood dream to enter and compete in international pageants and started beauty pageants long time ago just after my high school. I crowned Miss University of Sri Lanka for representing my country at Miss University International Pageant in Seoul, South Korea in 2004. There I still remember the moment when my name was announced as the winner. I have had the opportunity to win pageants several times in my life and is an honor for me. During my studies, I received the awards for best performances from my school ages and especially I won the ‘Outstanding Music and ‘Outstanding Chemistry’ awards along with lot of students organization activities. As the team leader, I was able to gain the victory for my school by winning general knowledge and quiz competitions several times and I have won the championship for the provincial level. It is a great pleasure for me when I see the Facebook because my friends still appreciate my competing behaviors of school age. Moreover, I was able to continue extracurricular and volunteering until my graduate studies. My personal platform is to become a charity person for women of all nations international. The UN beauty pageant is not all about showcasing beauty but also will help to build women empowerment across world.
Being a person with multiple strengths, I am proud, and those qualities develop me as a natural leader. First, I am deeply compassionate with regard for the needs of all people. Second, I am people oriented and I can influence other people to make positive changes in their lives. I have seen this through my teaching and confirmed by feedback from students, my colleagues, and the people that I regularly mentor. Being able to make a change in someone’s life is truly a greater achievement for me.
World Class Beauty Queens: What makes you stand out from all those other beautiful girls?
First, I believe every girl is unique. They have different traits and personalities. For me, combination of my talents, education, and compassion make me different from others. My cheerful communication and representation for building positive impacts regarding the needs of the underrepresented community makes me stand out.
World Class Beauty Queens: What does it mean to you to be a Beauty Queen?
To me, beauty queen is a role model who can give back to society. Being a queen, I am carrying a big responsibility. Of course, she is a glamorous and beautiful woman. You need to be beautiful externally and internally and it is very important to showcase the philanthropy from all your work. When I engaged with volunteering and community service projects, I motivated the participants and informed the importance of those service activities as it sets the standard and people follow your image and work. I firmly believe that a true queen means how she will continue with impactful appearances over the time. You do not to be a supermodel to be beauty queen and the winner stands out from every aspect including physically, mentally, and emotionally from all the other candidates because of her attitudes, personally, and confidence.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did competing in pageants helped your life?
It was my second international pageant. Competing in pageants was helpful to improve my confidence, spirit and ability to have the stage to help others. Especially talking to the audience, the way of introducing me to others on stage and out stage. Overall competing in pageants helped me to serve for the community and is a way of displaying the real version of me. One day I want to be remembered as a positive role model, especially as an educator who inspired people to achieve and make prudent decisions for a better future. Competing in pageants really provided me the needed platform for my goal. It also helped me to learn how to handle stress and disappointments in stylishly in my daily life.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did pageants helped your self-esteem and body image?
Naturally, I am more confident person. I am a strong woman both emotionally and spiritually. I believe in myself and have a positive body image. Being in pageants, I can tell that it further increased my self-esteem particularly when networking with the community.
World Class Beauty Queens: You are an inspiration to all the girls out there. How does it feel?
I am actually not surprised about it. It was my childhood dream to enter and compete in international pageants. I am glad that because of my hard work, volunteering, and community service, I succeeded it. With that as a role model, I can give back to society. My message for other girls who want to attend pageants, if you are fully committed about what you do, eventually you will be inspired by others as well. Of course, it feels me I have a responsibility and I need to be a positive image for all the girls out there.
World Class Beauty Queens: What is your on-stage strategy to win the judges over?
Watching and examining the past pageants are helpful to learn and perform better during the finals. It is actually a combination of good pageant walk, smile, and eye-catching dress along with your elegance. We need to exhibit our passion and confidence while on the stage and so you need to be relaxed and make sure you make eye contacts with the judges.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did you prepare for your competition?
Having a proper schedule is the key. Because you have more things to do with a short and tight timeline, it is necessary to create a notebook which you will not miss your required activities. Therefore, you need to be strategic in your time and calendar. Training for the on stage walk with national costume, evening wear, and fashion dress is very important and you really need to practice it. Otherwise you would not feel comfortable on the stage and so it will not be able to present your dress properly to the audience. I worked with my designer for the dresses in advance to prepare costumes. Also, getting ready for the interview question is also helpful as you can answer confidently during the interview sessions. Training for photoshoots cannot be disregarded as it will evaluate whether you are a camera appeal. I got trained for those times several months before the finals. As there are other personal goals including personal fitness and volunteering activities, time management is essential and stay organized.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for learning better pageant walk?
Rehearsing and learning continually and starting it months before the pageant is essential. You can consult an expert or pageant runaway coach as well. I practiced daily in front of the mirror and video of myself helped to improve the posture and smile.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for choosing right pageant dress?
It was challenging to select the dress for me as I had different choices for the style and color. Getting advice from a dress designer is more helpful as they can carefully determine what is the right pageant dress depending on our skin complexion and body figure. Everybody has own preferences for the color, design, etc however, it is important to showcase your elegance and poise. I believe the dress should be eye - catching and more appealing and it should go well with the lightning of the stage. the right dress will increase your confidence while you walk on the stage. As a fun tip, I propose when you go shopping at mall or boutique where there are fitting rooms, you can ask from other ladies their opinions about the dresses. That way you get an honest feedback and I did that when I picked the dresses for several photoshoots.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for winning interview?
I believe that it is very important to get prepared for the interview as it is an opportunity to showcase the candidate’s personality including the internal and external beauty. Along with that smile and eye contact will help you to share your experience and thoughts in a relaxed and smooth way. Judges need to see your passion and when you get nervous you cannot define yourself genuinely.
World Class Beauty Queens: What is one mistake that you've done during competing you wish you could redo and fix it?
Everyone has exclusive talents and styles when represents to the audience. So, I think it is not necessary to compete against others what they have, and you should be able to imply the real version of you. During my first pageant, I was analyzing what the judges looked for and my conclusion is you need to focus on you and present yourself.
World Class Beauty Queens: What other mistakes are made by girls during the contest?
Most times, I can see that girls are nervous and panic. It is important to appear that you are driven by your passion, so you need to be unique. Lot of girls imitate somebody else in their mind and it would be hard for them to exhibit the real version of them and eventually, it will not give you a good posture. The purpose is not only winning and learning to accept your weaknesses is also necessary for your future. Making friends and enjoying with them are good ways to be calm and relaxed during the pageant.
World Class Beauty Queens: Any modeling or acting experience?
I have done modeling for several years after winning my first tile as Miss Sri Lanka for Miss University International. There I did modelling for magazines and got the opportunity to become a television presenter. It was interesting that I presented fashion and music episodes.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your plans for 2021 as a Queen?
First, I engage with more volunteering and community projects. Covid 19 pandemic has limited our gatherings and it has been more challenging to continue the work. I am hopeful that I can continue my work during this year which I was involved and will open more doors for charity services.
World Class Beauty Queens: What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?
I want to leave my legacy for motivating and inspiring others, especially underserved communities, and empowering women of all ethnic groups. I am driven and hardworking in following my passion. I want to be remembered as a positive role model, especially as an educator who inspired people to achieve and make prudent decisions for a better future.
International Director: Jessica Thompson - Clarke
Your Local Director: Jessica Thompson - Clarke
Pageant website: http://unitednationinternationalpageant.com/ World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to say thank you for this wonderful interview. Interview by Derek Tokarzewski Owner/Editor in Chief of World Class Beauty Queens Magazine
Nirodha Sudershini De Silva Mrs. USA United Nation International Ambassador 2019-2020, World Class Beauty Queens Magazine,
Interview by Derek Tokarzewski Owner/Editor in Chief Mr United Nations 2018 Platform: Women Empowerment Ambassador to International Foundation for Orphans iffocares.org
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