Benoni High learner wins Miss Teen Tourism World 2019

Kaylan Ferreirinho (17), a Grade 11 Benoni High School learner, was recently crowned Miss Teen Tourism World 2019 at the Miss Teen Tourism World pageant in Tokyo, Japan.

Not only did she bag the crown, she also won three of the six divisions they were judged on – Most Photogenic, Best in National Costume and Best in Evening Gown.

Despite having over 50 titles under her belt since she started entering pageants at the age of nine, Kaylan admits to feeling very nervous in Tokyo.

“I went there to win the pageant because I did not want to let anyone down and when they called my name it was an unreal experience.

“I could not believe it was me and for 20 seconds I could not believe it until the crown was placed on my head, I was in awe,” said Kaylan

She described the atmosphere in Japan as amazing.

“Everyone was very helpful and welcoming as the Rugby World Cup was hosted in Japan, and it felt good to be in the same country as the winners, our Bokke, even though we could, unfortunately, not go watch the match.”

Kaylan will be using her title to make a change by getting sponsors for various non-profit organisations and also promoting tourism.

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She added that entering pageants has built her confidence and boosted her self-esteem as she used to be a withdrawn person.

Accounting is her favourite subject and she plans on being a charted accountant once she has achieved her first goal of going to model overseas.

When asked what the advantages and disadvantages of entering pageants were she said:

“The advantages are a rise in your self-esteem, making friends of which I call pageant sisters and an opportunity to use a title to do charity work.

“The disadvantage is that we all do not get to win even though we work really hard.”

Single mother Renesca Ferreirinho said she is extremely proud of her daughter because she knows how hard she has worked for what she has achieved.

She would also like to thank all the sponsors as entering pageants is very expensive and she had to save up just as much to make it all possible, not forgetting Kaylan’s national director Adele Kapp and her modelling coach Deon Klause.

Kaylan will take a break from pageants to focus on her title and use it to help charities and to focus on passing matric next year.

Her advice to all girls wanting to enter pageants is to be open-minded, and have an ability to accept failure.

“Win with grace and lose with grace, take the loss and deal with it in a positive manner and always believe in yourself.”