The face of the North’s Miss Fiji Pageant will focus on sustainable development.

Miss Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North Alitia Epi, 23, who is from Qamea Island said she was proud to represent the place she was brought up.

“My aim for the Miss Fiji pageant is to promote my hometown,” Ms Epi said.

“I will use the platform to talk on sustainable development in the Northern division.

“I believe that it will be a tough competition, because there are other young beautiful women representing their municipalities and I feel we all have a common goal which makes it so interesting.

“I have begun preparing my attire with the help of the present and past festival king and queen committee chairman.”

Ms Epi is currently working at the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority Labasa office and is also pursuing a Post Graduate diploma in Management from the Fiji National University.

When asked how she was able to manage work, life, studies and preparation for the pageant, she replied: “With God by my side I can do all things.

“My parents have always taught me to put my trust in God and that is what I have been doing.

“Participating in the Fiji Pageant has always been my dream and I thank God for this opportunity given to me.”

The Miss Fiji Pageant 2016 will be at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka from November 5-12.