The Sunday Mail
Vanessa Hodza, U6 Chisipite Senior School
My name is Vanessa Hodza I am the current Miss Harare Junior First Princess I am 18 doing my upper six at Chisipite Senior School. After being crowned, I was given the opportunity to write a personal profile about myself so youth of Harare meet their first princess. I was frantic with enthusiasm the way I always am and looking forward to the opportunity to share about myself with people.
I got as far as I am; a 17 year old girl who just absolutely loves people, is an aspiring fashion designer and is working toward her fulfilling her God given purpose in life. Then I was thrust into the hurricane of A Level.
Suddenly it is already early July and a whole six months and I am sceptical about whether that offer is still open but I wrote the response anyway. So when I decide to think about it, I ask myself what I want people to know about me which is, besides the fact that I am human like every other person on the planet.
What I do have that is rather rare, is complete faith, ridiculous optimism and the willingness to try, try and try again. I have attempted almost every club, society and sport in the school.
I believe that more windows of opportunity are in your grasps if you are willing to try new things and develop your talents and giving back to people is of paramount importance. I entered the pageant with the intention of learning a lot, having fun, raising money for charity and meeting new people.
With that perspective, crowned or not, I had succeeded. To this day people are surprised when I tell them that I am a pageant princess because I believe a title only amplifies who you really are rather than defining you.
So, who am I? I am happy person, who laughs and smiles a lot and managed an innocence that is not characterised by ignorance and naivety. No matter what you’ve been told about pageants physical beauty does not excuse lack or originality and intelligence. I love conquering my fears. For some reason eliminating the things I am afraid of gives me so much joy and satisfaction. My fear of blood, led me to join first aid at my school and I subsequently became a Saint John cadet and soon to be brigade member.
If I had not tried first aiding, I would not have had the opportunity to compete in the St John Hong Kong international cadet camp in January 2016.
God willing, I was awarded best individual in home nursing and when I got back home to be interviewed by that Harare news February issue, the one thing I remember is the importance of team work and having fun. Home nursing is that aspect of helping people that I just cannot bring myself to avoid.
I love fashion. I believe designing is my God given gift and I glorify Him with it and all other gifts. Lastly, I am in a relationship with my Father and I believe he is the author of all perfect fates and therefore I owe all my successes to Him. I am part of Hope stands foundation, a Christian youth community that celebrates talent and wants to give hope to all aspects of society through sharing the word in faith and love. I fellowship with many young passionate youths for Christ and I became very close friends with the Miss Harare junior second princess, Melissa.
Friends are the important balance you need them in your life along with family. I recommend this to all the young girls that you must have a real role model, someone you know who can mentor you and not some international celebrity: my mom and my sister are pillars for me. Taking some time to reflect alone with help you look at experiences in retrospect and help you realise that some things are not worth getting upset about or what I prefer, “It is not that deep!” take a deep breath and marvel at the beauty and diversity of all lives in appreciation.
The pictures here are of me doing community service; the mobile clinic I did with St Johns and the visit to Harare children’s home with hope stands. I am blessed with the opportunities to bless others. I learn from every individual I meet and their hope and optimism often inspires me to do more for others and care less for myself. Especially with the girls of Harare children’s home, fellowshipping with them was beautiful and it was just evident that as girls we share in the same struggle across the board.
The time I spent at the Hong Kong cadet camp in January 2016 was special. Leaving Zimbabwe just gives you a greater affiliation with your culture and identity. Our nation’s loving culture is an aspect we took with us making us the favourite group for the Australian team and the Sri Lankan team.
The opportunity to represent Zimbabwe with a team of amazing first aiders was an honour. The Cambridge award ceremony 2016 was also a highlight. I was a high achiever in design and textiles Advanced subsidiary 2015 October/ November 2015. It was amazing to excel at something I am passionate about and came as motivation to pursue my unorthodox career in Fashion. When you look at me at face value I am a very ordinary person all the accomplishments I have I owe to my faithful God. Hard work pays, service builds character and being genuine is something people will always appreciate.
Students, YOU CAN SEND YOUR ARTICLES THROUGH E-MAIL, FACEBOOK, WHATSAPP or TEXT Just app Charles Mushinga on 0772936678 or send your articles, pictures, poetry, art . . . to Charles Mushinga at [email protected] or [email protected] or follow Charles Mushinga on Facebook or @charlesmushinga on Twitter. You can also post articles to The Sunday Mail Bridge, PO Box 396, Harare or call 0772936678.
