Learn about the Crowning of Miss Sri Lanka 2021, Sade Greenwood and the weeks leading up to her departure to Puerto Rico!
On the 7th of November 2021, my life changed in the span of 5 seconds. I remember standing backstage, the press and the audience waiting with anticipation for the annoucement of the new reigning Miss Sri Lanka for 2021. Finally, in the time it had taken for my name to be announced, a new feeling had bubbled up within me. It was a feeling of pride, of responsibility and of great honour to be able to represent my island; Sri Lanka.
The weeks leading up to my departure were filled with training to prepare me as my role of being an ambassador to my country at Miss World. I underwent dance training to brush up on my traditional Kandyan dance skills with the famous Aseka and Chandana Wijewardena. The dance symbolises and pays homage to Sri Lanka and is a depiction and form of 'worship' towards my motherland. The final dance was perfomed at the 'Dances of the World' segment at Miss World. Performing this in the streets of Old San Juan was such an ethereal experience to me. It almost felt as though the two cultures collided and met in the middle. It was the collision of the Puerto Rican culture and the Sri Lankan culture, that together assimilated to showcase the beauty of the two countries on the streets of Puerto Rico.
Furthermore, other than dance training I had trained with Kumar De Silva for etiquette. He taught me everything from self-introduction to dining etiquette, in order to prepare me for my journey to Puerto Rico. I also developed a new sense of confidence in terms of public speaking due to his constant support and guidance! Public speaking was something that was taboo to me, however, in the span of a couple of weeks I had developed a deep love for it because I could finally articulate my message to the rest of the world.
And last but certaintly not least, my classes always ended with posture and walk training with the famous Senaka De Silva. He taught me how to walk with confidence and how to be the epitomy of grace, no matter where you are and no matter what you are doing. Looking back on my preparation for the competition, I had underwent a huge amount of growth, that I know will stay with me for life. Therefore, I am immensely grateful for the Siyatha Miss World Sri Lanka team for believing in 19 year old me and preparing me for the journey to represent my beautiful island home, Sri Lanka.
To end today's artcile, here's the quote of the day;
" It's only after you've stepped outside your comfort zone that you begin to change, grow and transform." - Roy T. Bennett
Lots of love and hugs,
Sade
