(Seychelles News Agency) - Why leave school when it’s the most important place to be for a better future? That is one question a Miss Seychelles contestant is calling on the younger generation to reflect upon.

Samira Nicoire told SNA that she is concerned with the number of school drop-outs in the island nation, prompting her to use the Miss Seychelles Another World pageant as a platform to highlight the issue. The pageant's finale is Saturday.

“I want to work with those children who drop out of school,” Nicoire said to SNA, referring to young people who prefer to quit school to go to work and others who drop out because of circumstances they encounter, like teenage pregnancy.

Her beauty with a purpose project entitled ‘Why not a better future?’ aims to provide a second chance to those who find themselves in such situations and regret having dropped out of school.

“I would like to see the opening of a training centre which will help those children to learn and acquire the required certificates which will in turn allow them to pursue their dream careers.”

Seychelles, a 115-island archipelago in the western Indian Ocean offers 11 years of compulsory schooling at primary to secondary level while those who have the capabilities can study up to university level.

Nicoire, 18, is studying wellness and spa at the Seychelles Tourism Academy. She hopes to obtain a scholarship for further studies abroad and aspires to have her own business in the field. Before settling down in her own business though, she does have other dreams, including that of being an air hostess or a top international top model.

Heading to one of Seychelles’ powder white beaches, going shopping or having a much relaxing moment reading, watching TV, and spending time with the family are some of her favourite things to do.

Describing herself as an outgoing person who loves to have fun, Nicoire enjoys meeting new people and making friends.

“I also like helping others and I am rather calm,” she told SNA, adding that she takes after her mother whom she considers to be her idol.

On the Miss Seychelles pageant, the resident of Foret Noire in central Mahé, the main island, Nicoire said that she would be happy for whoever takes homes the title.

“We are all here for the same purpose, and that is to win [but] there can only be one winner. The most important thing for me is that I am learning a lot and gaining a lot of experience,” she said to SNA.

If crowned Miss Seychelles Another World 2016, Nicoire would like to become a role model and use the opportunity to promote Seychelles’ culture, flora, fauna and traditions.

Her words of encouragement for future Miss Seychelles contestants: “it is a fun and enriching experience, you learn a lot of new things and get to visit places you’ve never been to.” 

Editor’s Note: Twelve contestants are taking part in the 2016 Miss Seychelles Another World pageant. The crowning ceremony will take place on Saturday May 28. SNA is writing feature stories on each participant in the order they appear as contestants up to the crowning night.