Former Miss Teen Portmore, Michelle Cole, was sent off in style recently, as she received sponsorship from YP Seaton and Associates to off-set her airfare expenses to attend the orientation for university studies in the United States.

Cole, 18, left the island to take up a four-year scholarship at the prestigious Howard University, Washington, DC. She will major in chemical engineering.

Cole is a scholar and track athlete from St Andrew High School. She runs the 400m.

I'm grateful

"First of all, I must thank God for this opportunity bestowed upon me. I'm grateful to Mr Seaton and his company for their kind gesture. They will be in my thoughts as well as Mr (Ronald) and Mrs (Octavia) Waite, the coordinators of the pageant who always believed in my abilities," Cole said during her send-off. "Special thanks to my parents who stood by me over the years."

Cole is a role model in her 2 West, Greater Portmore community in St Catherine. She uses her weekends and summer holidays to teach students sitting the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT).

A bright future awaits this young charming lady of the sunshine city. She became Miss Teen Portmore in 2009, and is arguably the pageant's best ambassador. "I would advise any teenager to enter the Miss Teen Portmore Pageant because it helps to improve all the qualities a young lady should have. It improves your public-speaking skills, self confidence, etiquette and it can also open a door to a new opportunity," she advised.