August 07th 2010
Boom Blast: Miss Saint Lucia World Aiasha Gustave
By Kendell Scady Eugene

I remember first speaking with Aiasha on a professional level at the International School. There she was explaining to me how she and a group of friends spearheaded a charity drive to help the people of the earthquake ravished, Haiti. At that time I thought to myself, she is a go getter, but a Miss World Pageant representative was farthest from my mind. Well here she is and this is her story and I have a funny feeling that this won’t be the last time we see her on YO or hear from her.

How does it feel to be crowned “Miss St. Lucia World”?
- To be honest it is more of an honour than anything else. I am so proud to be an international ambassador for my country just because I think it’s time we were given the spotlight for being such a beautiful, culture rich island. I humbly accept the title as Ms. St. Lucia World and will try my best to represent all positive elements of my island

Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you born, school?
- I was born and raised right here in St. Lucia, to a Guyanese father (David Gustave) and a British mother (Angela Gustave). I first attended the Kids Care Kindergarten in Gros-Islet and then moved on to the Camille Henry Memorial School. After spending a few years there, my mother moved me to the Bonne Terre Private School because it was in a more convenient location. However, I only stayed about a year at that school and was finally moved to Tapion Private School where I spent four years leading to my Common Entrance Exams, which allowed me to attend the Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School. I spent 3 years at Leon Hess and loved every moment of it. My last and final school (yes I realize I’ve been to so many schools in my short life ha-ha) was the International School of St. Lucia where I graduated with a New Brunswick Diploma of twenty credits, averaging 93 percent. I applied to seven universities both in Canada and the UK, and although I was accepted in all of them I chose the University of Southampton in the UK, which I am hopefully attending this year to study international business relations and law.

Was this your first time participating in a pageant?
- Yes it was. I was never really interested in them because I honestly thought that it made girls look quite fake. However, I realized that a pageant doesn’t make you or change you, it is you who allows yourself to be changed; once you are true and real to yourself then nothing can change the person you are inside.

Not many people believe we have a chance of winning a pageant such as Miss World, what are you thoughts on this?
Well I would have to smile and ask those people why? St. Lucia has such beautiful women who are not only beautiful but also intellectually talented. It’s doubts like these that don’t take us to our highest potential and don’t allow us to be appreciated as much on the international market as we should be. So my question to them would be, why? And see how logical their answers are.

What sort of preparations did you have to undertake to enter Miss Saint Lucia World?
Well firstly I have to maintain my physique and then practice my walk and posture. From there I have to work on my talent where I will be singing, and also learn a national dance of St. Lucia. However, the major task now is getting sponsors on board and organizing fundraisers.

Who is your role model and why?
My role model would have to be my mother. I admire her determination and self-less acts of love by sacrificing most of her life so that I would get the best education and have the most opportunities offered to me. Even when we didn’t have, she would still find to give those less fortunate than ourselves and so I look up to her also for her kind heart and charitable acts.

Name three things you can’t live without… umm; let’s make it six.
Mhmmmmmm well I cant live without love, my family, music or an ipod, for sure so that’s top of my list..
Oh but there is food, water and oxygen too you know… but anyways lol
I can’t live without pasta and lastly my blackberry.

How do you spend your free time?
In my free time, I usually try to catch up on sleep, but I also love writing, whether they are poems or songs. I love studio time because I tend to get glued to the mic and start messing around. I also enjoy intimate chill out limes like a barbeque with close friends; and of course once in a while a little party is appreciated.

Young women who are that afraid to pursue their dreams, what would you say to them?
Nothing is impossible, NOTHING. Don’t worry about the difference between dreams and realities. Once you have prayers, confidence, dedication and a positive mind frame, you can achieve anything in life and make your dream a reality. Nothing is too far, or too high to reach, just focus on what your dream is and work hard towards it, appreciating and being thankful for every good and every opportunity that comes your way.

What quotes do you live by, if any?
BOB MARLEY: "Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you’re riding through the ruts, don't complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy. Don't bury your thoughts, put your vision to reality. Wake Up and Live! "

Is there anything else you would like our readers to know?
Word of advice to people: Don’t ever let other people bring you down EVER, just prove to all that say you CAN’T and WON’T, that you CAN and WILL. Never be angry with people who try to bring you down; instead, feel sorry for them and pray that they will learn to look at themselves before trying to bring down others.

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