Among the landmark events of 60 years of independence are three wins in prominent beauty pageants. To this day, many people recall witnessing Janelle “Penny” Commissiong winning the 1977 Miss Universe competition and Giselle Laronde-West winning the Miss World title in 1986. Wendy Fitzwilliam later also won the 1998 Miss Universe contest.

Laronde-West and Commissiong sat down with Newsday and talked about how they felt about being able to contribute to the country in this way.

GISELLE LARONDE-WEST

Laronde-West said as she is celebrating her own 60th birthday in October, the feeling of sharing that with her country is immeasurable. She felt “absolutely proud” to be able to have done something for her country and now getting to see the nation celebrate 60 years of independence.

[caption id="attachment_972640" align="alignnone" width="683"] Former Miss World Giselle Laronde-West. Photos by Ayanna Kinsale[/caption]

She recalled her start in modelling, saying it started when she was 20 and joined the House of Jacqui, San Fernando.

“I kind of grew up naive, but at the same time very tomboyish, very much into school and sports. So when I was asked if I’d be interested in modelling, I said, ‘Okay, let’s see what it holds. I don’t know if I’ll be good at it.’ But it turned out I was not too bad.”

Laronde-West said she didn’t take part in all the shows, as she was picked for certain ones, but at those, she soaked up every moment of it and laughed as she said that was where she realised she loved being on stage.

“I really enjoyed being up there and showing what I have to show, the clothes that I’m wearing, and getting the reactions. So I enjoyed it.”

She added that she’s never shy when she’s onstage, though offstage is a different story.

While still at the House of Jacqui, Laronde-West was working at the TECU Credit Union to save money to go to UWI, but with encouragement from a former Miss TT, Brenda Joy Fahey, and her brothers, she auditioned for the pageant.

“They said you never know where it will take you, you might make connections, you’ll be able to get opportunities and also maybe get some money that could help you.”

With permission from her parents, she was on her way. She recalled Fahey rushing, on the last day of auditions, to get her a dress, shoes and swimsuit.

“I did that, and then I got chosen to be one of the 12 to be Miss TT. At the time they were looking at three girls to crown, one for Miss World, one for Miss Universe, and one for Caravelle.

“It really opened my eyes to a lot of TT, it made me understand a little bit more about the country. They took us to a lot of places in TT that I had never been to before.

“Because they didn’t know which girls would be chosen for which competition, they would expose us to everything. We would go to children’s homes; we would do a lot of charity work along the way while we were training.”

So Laronde-West encouraged every young woman who gets such a chance to grab it, as it could be a life-changing one, as it was for her.

“It’s not j