 Interview Questions
with
Ms. Chidinma Emenike
Contestant, Miss West Africa
USA, 2011
Question: Why do you want to be Miss West Africa U.S.A?
Answer: There is no reason for me not to want to be. To represent
section of a continent that holds my birthplace, Nigeria, is an honor
that falls short of words. Not only does West Africa have beautiful
countries, it has beautiful people, people whose heritage I share in
some way. Whether from Benin, Ghana, or Togo, we are a people connected.
To know this is my honor. With propriety, I will be a symbol to all of
the dignity of this West Africa.
Question: What is success, according to you?
Answer: It is good that you ask what it is to me because success really
is a very personal concept. Success, to me, means setting goals and
always trying for those goals. The reality is that sometimes you may not
achieve exactly what you set out to do, but if you give up, or, worse,
if you never try, you are a failure. This, i can guarantee. Therefore, I
measure true success by the climb... by never giving up the climb-- no
matter how difficult it sometimes may be.
Question: In your view, what is the biggest problem facing our
educational system today?
Answer: There are so many challenges that the educational system has
today, but the greatest is the disparity of resources. As an example I
will take a local high-school in Jersey City. They are overcrowded and
have an extremely diverse student body. Professors are having extreme
difficulty conducting a class because in one class there could be six
kids who speak different languages- English being the one spoken most
poorly. Why aren't these kids in ESL- they would be if they were
Spanish. There is no money to hire different teachers for all the
languages. It is our responsibility as a society to assure that students
get an equal chance so that they may pursue life with an equal base, if
not we are already setting some up to assume defeat, to feel as if they
will not catch up.
Really, this is only one of the many problems, but it is one that opens
our eyes to the idea that the structure of the system must be
re-evaluated.
 Describe
yourself in three adjectives and explain why?
Answer: Social, Elegant, Compassionate.
I love to socialize, with friends or strangers. I enjoy the energy of
people. Equally, knowing people and listening to stories has allowed me
to have a better understanding of the plight that different people have
in life. I have become more compassionate because I have been exposed to
such diverse interactions. I treat situations with elegance. I think
most people think of elegance as something physical-- and it is. But
elegance, to me, more than the physical appearance. It is a way of
being. I try always to treat a situation, uncomfortable or not, with an
appropriate and graceful manner.
What do you want to achieve in life?
Answer: The question should be what don't I want to achieve in life!
Right now, I am still climbing. I am achieving what I want to achieve
and, as far as I am concerned, will always be achieving.
What would you like to change in yourself, why?
Answer: Acceptance comes from getting older and, for the most part, I am
comfortable in my skin. What I want to change has nothing to do with
skin. I want to learn more- different information from different
sources.
What do you want to gain by participating in beauty pageants? Why?
Answer: One day, as part of my success climb, I hope to have company
established in Nigeria to help women realize their potential. I am
living my potential, exposing myself, networking. Through beauty
pageants I am living what I hope one day to promote.
If you are given a dollar, what would you do with it?
Answer: Every situation is different. That dollar's use would depend on
the moment- for me to answer any other way would be to assume that all
moments in life are constant. This is simply not true.
Which word do you not like to hear at all? Why?
Answer: I don’t like the word “LOSER” . It is only the person shouting
it who really is. No one should apply such an extremely negative word on
another. As a mentioned, the only loser is the one who never tried. I
guess the person shouting never tried to be nice! His or her loss!
When have you been very proud of yourself in your life?
Answer: When I made it through a bullying stage in school. I was not the
bully. I was bullied. After I made it through that I realized I could
only keep on going, and I have done just that.
What do you think is the most important discovery of the last
century? Why?
Answer: I am not sure the internet qualifies as a discovery, but it is
certainly something that was not as prevalent in the late 1900's. Wow-
how old I feel expressing it that way! The internet is an incredibly
resource center. Used correctly it is a tool that can help break down
the walls of prejudice and injustices.
 What do you
think about cosmetic surgery in a pageant competition? Does it give an
unfair advantage to a contestant? Why?
Answer: While I am not a proponent of plastic surgery, I am one of
choices. I don't think it is an unfair advantage. Every person must do
what is necessary to feel whole. It is wrong for me to put my views on
another's decision. Ultimately a pageant is not about physical beauty,
but about the beauty of a person as a whole. This will come out with or
without cosmetic surgery.
According to you, what is femininity?
Answer: Femininity is the ability to carry yourself with the pride and
dignity...is is knowing that you have the gift of holding and caring for
life and wither you use it or not, it is a gift that separates you and
dignifies you.
What or who motivates you, and why?
Answer: I am fortunate to have many who motivate me, but if I had to
chose then I would say that God is my motivation, followed by my mother.
God gives me the faith and the ways to go for what I want and my mother
gives me enough fear so that I don't go out of control in the process!
What are your views about the Japan’s quake and tsunami?
Answer: Japan's devastation reminds us all that we are not more powerful
than nature and when nature destroys we must remember that we are all
brothers and sisters and we MUST help each other.
Which cartoon character would you like to be, and why?
Answer: Well... I will like to be “Wonder Woman” character because she
was elegant, courageous and a fighter too.
Tell me something that will make me remember you.
Answer: When I was bullied, I never turned away. I never showed them I
was scared. When you show someone you are scared, they will take you. I
walk with dignity and if I must fall, I will fall the same way.
What will you choose family or career? Why?
Answer: I really can't answer this question because I don't see why i
should have to chose.
 What does a
woman of substance mean to you?
Answer: A woman of substance is one who understands and acknowledges the
beauty of the world around her; one that understands that she is part of
something greater than herself. And in all that she takes in, she is
willing to give back to this bigness that she is a part of.
What is the biggest challenge faced by youth today?
Answer: Returning to their senses. The internet and television has
desensitized teens and when that happens it is very difficult to return
to a mental place that understands the hardships of life. Death for
example becomes a word or a disconnected image, rather than a human
experience. If things continue as they are we will have a world that
acts without thinking and this could be really dangerous.
What three characteristics are a must for a Miss. West Africa USA?
Answer: The Miss West Africa USA must have leadership skills, patience,
friendliness. A representative of anything must understand that her
person will be a symbol of many nations and being in the public eye is
not always easy so she must be prepared. Leadership skills will guide
her, patience will get her through trying moments and friendliness will
give her the desire to continue meeting and greeting people!
Do you think a titleholder should or should not express her religious
faith in public?
Answer: As long as she does not push her faith on another, I believe a
titleholder should express her religious faith in public. After all, it
is just another way to define who she is.
Do you think you can make an impact on society? How?
Answer: I believe anyone can impact society, in a good or bad way. Life
is a delicate balance and all people are important and impacting in some
way. I believe I will make one in a good way with my personality and the
wisdom of God's way.
What bothers you the most about what is happening in the world today?
Why?
Answer: To borrow the words of a very famous Beatle, John Lennon: All I
am saying is.... Give peace a chance. I really don't understand why this
is such a difficult thing to commit to.
To Vote for Ms Emenike, go to:
www.misswestafricausa.com |
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