MISS Earth concluded its 2021 pageant season in a two-hour broadcast of its virtual finals with Destiny Wagner of Belize clinching the coveted title on Sunday.
Topping the field of 88 delegates worldwide, Wagner inherited the title from Lindsey Coffey of the USA who also won the title virtually last year.
Wagner’s “elemental” court included: Marisa Butler, USA, Miss Air; Romina Denecken van der Veen, Chile, Miss Water; and Baitong Jareerat Petsom, Thailand, Miss Fire.
Miss Philippines Earth Naelah Alshorbaji, who earlier won the gold medal for the preliminary evening gown competition, made it to the Top 8, along with the delegates from the Netherlands, Russia and Venezuela.
When asked the final question, “How far can technology go to help save the environmental situation the world is currently in?” Destiny replied:
“I am thankful to live in a digital age right now. Because of technology, we are able to spread awareness of things that are happening not only in my country but in other countries as well.
“However, technology can also be used to save our environment because by incorporating innovation with technology, as well as sustainability, we can all come together…to save our planet.”
The 25-year-old Wagner made history for giving Belize its first international beauty pageant title. She is a graduate of Business Administration and presently manages her own business and the non-profit organization “Operation Kingdom,” dedicated to combating child hunger and fighting for equal education. A certified scuba diver, she also advocates for the sustainability of marine life.
Miss Earth has been continuously held to advocate for the environment’s conservation and preservation since 2001. While other long-running pageant organizations cancelled staging their annual coronation last year because of the pandemic, Miss Earth, spearheaded by Carousel Productions’ president Ramon Monzon, executive vice president Lorraine Schuck and vice president for external affairs Peachy Veneracion, decided to continue their annual event via the virtual platform.
Malaya Business Insight has been a media partner of Miss Earth since 2001.
