Proving that you don’t need to come out on top to be a winner, 1st runner up for Miss Universe Sri Lanka 2013, Simerene Rabot is determined to use her newly found status to make a change for the better in today’s society.

As a child, one of her biggest dreams growing up was to be able to travel the world and experience new places and cultures, something she eventually was able to do through her six year career as an air stewardess for Qatar and SriLankan Airlines.

It was through her job that she first experienced what it truly meant to represent her country and she admits that the knowledge she gained from her career helped to prepare her for the pageant as she learnt to put herself out in the public eye.

 

 

And as for her decision to enter the Miss Universe Sri Lanka 2013 pageant, with two aunts having represented Sri Lankan in previous pageants, it seemed only natural for the young beauty to carry on the family legacy and take part in this year’s pageant.

Speaking about her experience throughout the competition, she describes it as being exciting, with lots of thrills. “It was definitely strenuous at times but going out with other contestants and meeting new people made it worth it.”  One of the most challenging moments of the competition for Simerene was when she spoke about the passing away of her sister during the ‘Questions’ round of the competition.

 

  

 

“I was taken by surprise when they asked me what my most life changing experience was, and I spoke about my sister and her battle with leukemia. It changed my whole perspective on life. It took a lot of strength for me to speak about it in front of everyone but it’s something that’s very close to my heart and one of the main reasons I took part in the pageant was to do be able to do something to help people going through cancer treatment.”

Having volunteered at the Maharagama Cancer Hospital over the last few years, Simerene hopes that with the exposure she gained during the pageant, she can now do something for the patients on a bigger scale. 

 

 

Bearing the title of 1st runner up, Simerene is aware that young girls will look up to her as a role model of sorts and  says she holds this position with pride and is aware that she must uphold a certain public image and act with the responsibility that comes with being a role model for the youth. “This title has given me a platform to voice important opinions and do more productive things to help society,” she said.

 

 

While she may not have won the pageant, Simerene is adamant you don’t have to be number 1 to be able make an impact, “The actress Sophia Loren was 1st runner up in an Italian beauty pageant and instead of just moving on, she used that platform to make changes for herself and others. I believe you have to make use of the platform you are given and your beauty should be used for a good cause, to help bring notice to important social issues in a way that can really a make change,” she added.

 

 

 

By Lake Argent

Pics by Kithsiri de Mel