Farah Valentina Bates, who was recently crowned the first Miss Berbice 2017, hails from the smallest Town in Guyana, Rose Hall, but she has big dreams of making it on an international pageant stage and being her own boss someday.
Born in July 1999, this tenacious 18-year-old is a second-year student at the University of Guyana pursuing her diploma in Public Management. She is the first born for her parents and has one sibling. This young aspiring entrepreneur has a strong understanding of the importance of family and idolizes her parents who are her inspiration and mentors. Farah intends to use her platform and opportunities that her new title affords to inspire and make a difference in the lives of her young peers. We caught up with Farah for some girl talk about her journey, accomplishments and plans for the future.
What made you want to become and Entrepreneur?
My dad has his own business(Bakery) and with his determination and success, I’m motivated to start my own business.That is why I’m currently pursuing my Diploma in Public Management.
What would you say most motivates you?
My biggest motivation in life is helping others. I’m driven to help people and so as to make my country a better place. Since my platform for the “I’m a big deal pageant” was Suicide I will continue to work on this major social issue and help raise awareness against this scourge.
What would you say is your biggest accomplishment?
Finishing Primary, Secondary and almost completing my, Tertiary level Education is one of my biggest accomplishment in life thus far. Also being the first Miss Berbice is a big deal for me.
Besides winning the Miss Berbice title, have you received any other awards or accolades?
Yes! I was honored as the 6th out of 15 top students when I sat the National Grade six Examination in 2010, I was also honored as one of the top students in Principles of Business for CSEC and during that same year I was honored by Mr. Hilbert Foster as one of the top students in Rose Hall Town who sat the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate(CSEC) examination in 2016.
What might (someone) be surprised to know about you?
Although I love Make-up and would go crazy for High Heels my biggest obsession which sets me apart from most girls is my obsession with Race Cars and “Girls Street Racing”.
What are the most important lessons you’ve learned in life?
Be humble and to always be obedient and show love and respect where it is due.
Who are some of the mentors or people who deeply influenced who you are?
Determination and dedication are what matters most to them. Positivity, humbleness, and courage are what they possess. With this being said my key mentors in life are my parents.
Are there any major challenges or obstacles that you’ve overcome?
Challenges are there for a reason which is to help build you and make you better as a person. I never had any major challenges but I do have challenges that changed my life tremendously but yet positively. There was a lot of these minor challenges that I faced continuously especially throughout High School but I believe that if you put your mind to accomplish something great you will overcome every stumbling block that comes your way.
What advice would you give a young girl/woman who wants to pursue pageantry?
Follow your dreams and if you stumble just get up, brush yourself off, and continue because one day you will be successful and unstoppable. Never let anyone dull your shine and never let anyone or anything in this world hinder your dreams or who you want to become. Always keep God by your side.
What would you say is the essence of being a woman who rocks?
One of my favorite quotes is: ” The strength of a woman is not measured by the impact that all hardships in life have had on her, but the strength of a woman is measured by the extent of her refusal to allow those hardships to dictate her and who she becomes” C.Joybell.C. I strongly believe that if a woman is strong enough to get over every challenges and Hardship she faces in life, she is definitely strong enough to conquer the world. So for me, the essence of being a woman that rocks is simply being STRONG.
What’s next for you or what are you most looking forward to in the future?
Completing my Diploma in Public Management and starting my own business is the next for me and from there I’m looking forward to pursuing my Degree in Public Management over the next 3 years.
