Twenty-four-year-old Sally Greige, who vowed to champion women's rights, was crowned Miss Lebanon 2014 during a ceremony Sunday evening in Beirut, beating 13 other contestants.
"If I were to take part in one demonstration, I would choose to participate in a demonstration to defend the rights of Lebanese women," she responded to a question posed to five finalists.
Elsa Hajjar was the first runner-up and Rouba Monzer came third.
But Greige, a brunette with green eyes, took the lead right from the get-go, winning the highest marks in the swimming suit and evening gown competitions.
Her witty demeanor and smart answers won her the approval of the nine-member jury, which included high-profile figures such as Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad, Future Movement MP Serge Torsarkissian and television host Georges Kordahi.
The new Miss Lebanon hails from the Koura village of Dar Shmezin in north Lebanon and has a Bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Balamand.
Greige said urban planning and preserving the environment would figure high among projects she was planning to undertake during her one-year tenure.
Among the prizes she won were a $300,000 apartment, a 2014 Audi Q3 and $50,000 worth of jewelry.
Contestants wore evening gowns from Murad's 2014-2015 Fall/Winter collection.
The new Miss Lebanon was styled in a black-and-white embroidered sheath dress.
"I will use my background and my education to achieve my goals," Greige told the media after the ceremony, which was held at the Casino du Liban, north of Beirut. "I also hope I will be able to represent my country Lebanon in a decent and honorable manner."
The ceremony was hosted by Dima Sadek, with a performance by pop sensation Nancy Ajram, who sang two of her latest hits.
Greige will represent Lebanon at the Miss World pageant on Dec. 14 in London and at the Miss Universe pageant, which will take place at Florida's International University, on Jan. 25, 2015.
[dailystar]
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