THE support from the people of Fiji made my experience at the 2010 Miss USA Teen pageant extraordinary, says Fijian teen Hosanna Kabakoro.
The 18-year old Cakaudrove beauty represented Miss Teen Idaho at the pageant and was crowned Miss Congeniality.
"I feel that my auntie Suzanne Misaele said it best when she said looks fade but character lasts a lifetime," she said from the US yesterday.
"I was so humbled that the other girls selected me for this honour and while I am far from perfect, I do hope that overall I can live up to the title. I am so happy to represent the state of Idaho and the amazing people of Fiji.
"I have been working hard and studying with the goal of landing a job in the news department with Fiji Television.
"I hope this recognition will open a door for me there as well."
Ms Kabakoro already has a busy schedule planned for the coming months. This includes spending a semester at Youths With A Mission Idaho and going on an outreach either in India or Fiji.
"I will be speaking at the HYPE Conference in Salt Lake City in November and then hopefully fly to Fiji for the Children's Day Awards," she said.
"I plan to continue working in broadcast journalism and after that, who knows."
Proud mum Summer Kabakoro said: "I am so proud of both our children. Their dad has taught them so well and he deserves most of the credit for who they are becoming. I am glad the pageant is over and Hosanna can now move on to more important ventures."