Eleuthera’s own Almitra Rolle-Meeres starts her quest to become Miss Teen Universe Bahamas this month when preliminary rounds in the annual pageant take place in Grand Bahama.
Almitra, or Ali, at 14 years old is one of the youngest of the six contestants entered in the pageant and will hope to impress the judging panel in the categories of national costume, evening gown, swimsuit, judges interview and the always important onstage question.
“I have been working with coaches that help me practice my speeches,” said Ali, who holds a 3.47 grade point average at Central Eleuthera High School. “[And] walking around the house in heels to practice. Also going over possible questions to practice answering them.”
After the April 9th-12th weekend in Grand Bahama, contestants reconvene at Atlantis, Paradise Island April 19th to decide who will wear the Miss Teen Universe Bahamas crown and the right to compete on an international stage in the Miss Teen Universe pageant.
As well as Ali, who represents as Miss Teen North Eleuthera the pageant includes Zaniyaa Bowe, Miss Teen Abaco; Kristaney Duroseau, Miss Teen Great Abaco Cays; Aalayna Newton, Miss Teen New Providence; Syonne Rolle, Miss Teen Grand Bahama and Deanna-Ré Gaitor, Miss Teen Eleuthera.
Tia Thompson, President of Bahamas International Pageants, that organizes the contest has been impressed with Ali at lead-up events in Nassau – the contestant unveiling at the Goldwynn Resort, a personalized college fair, tea party and rehearsals.
“Ali is great. I call her the comedian,” said Thompson. “She is truly the pageant’s comedian. She has dry humour but one that keeps you on your toes. She’s very smart…everything she says brings me joy.”
Ali, a resident of Eleuthera Island Shores, has limited pageantry experience having competed in the Miss Bahamas Galaxy Jr. division in 2023, but Thompson does not see that as a drawback. “With more extensive training she can go far in pageantry,” said Thompson “She came in with room for us to teach her. She likes to be taught.”
Ali said she was inspired as a young girl to enter the world of teen pageantry by “watching a lot of people on t.v. and social media and I thought I can do this, and how pretty I would look in a pink gown.” She added one of her strengths is that “My bubbly personality will shine during my walk.”
Contestants choose a platform, or cause, to advocate during the pageant and Ali’s platform is mental health for teenagers.
Indira A. Rolle, Ali’s mother, said she is throwing her full support behind her only child. “[My] expectations for her is to gain as much life lessons from the overall event as possible, like networking and meeting friends, like grooming…organizing schedule and time management,” said Rolle, a tour guide and entrepreneur with Hatchet Bay roots. “And then – no matter a pageant top spot or not, she is a winner, as true success is seeing things to the end and completing a task to the best of her abilities.”
Miss Teen Universe Bahamas not only goes on to take on some of the world’s most talented teens but also receives a full ride scholarship to Avila University in Kansas City, Missouri, worth $170,000. The four runners up receive $5,000 scholarships to the school and the First Runner Up, who is crowned Miss Teen Top Model, goes on to compete in Miss Teen International World which was won in 2025 by the Bahamas’ own Tanaria Storr.
Dates for Miss Teen Universe, which will see some thirty countries enter, are yet to be announced. The Bahamas is a strong candidate to host the pageant.
