Londoner Shirley Burnett will today vie for the Miss Caribbean and Commonwealth title and aims to be the first Guyanese representative to win. Shirley, whose parents are from Guyana (Georgetown) lives in Sutton and is a marketing coordinator with a leading law firm in London.
Shirley, who is 29 years old, says she is proud of her Guyanese parentage, is keen to be a role model for young women everywhere.
She has a BA in Politics from the University of Westminster and has performed in the West End in shows at the Palace Theatre and Her Majesty’s Theatre.
Apart from representing her borough in athletics, Shirley modelled at London Alternative Fashion Week and also for the Young Designers Network.
While at university, she was chairperson of the Student Council, Cultural and Entertainment representative of the Afro-Caribbean Society at the University of Westminster and Finance Director of the Young Enterprise organisation.
An aspiring model and singer, she holds the current title of Miss Bridal Hair and Beauty and last year took part in the Miss England finals, winning the Miss County Queen title.
Shirley is keen to assist in the global promotion of charitable causes and wants to use her knowledge and position to give something back to the community.
She feels the Miss Caribbean and Commonwealth contest will give her the opportunity to become a key representative and ambassador for her country, as well as allowing her to make a difference on so many levels.
The 25th edition of the Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth pageant is on this evening at the Polish Centre in Hammersmith, London, from 7:30 pm.
