Brava: Karmelize Barbosa wins Miss Nhô Santo António 2023 contest

The 17-year-old teenager from Mato, Brava Island, Karmelize Barbosa was elected at dawn today miss Santo António 2023, in a contest organized by the Association for the Development of Lém.

The event took place in the town's multi-purpose venue and was attended by nine candidates from different locations on the island.

Karmelize Barbosa, in addition to enjoying the title of Miss Santo António for a year, also took home the sash of Miss Fotogenia.

Hélida Pina took the sash of Miss Simpatia, Hélia Rosa was elected second lady and Bruna Sanches, first lady.

Speaking to Inforpress, Evelise Lopes, a member of the organization of the event, made “a positive assessment” of the event and praised the “mass” participation of the population of Brave. He added that he was already expecting a certain number, but that during the course of the event they saw the multipurpose room full, something that exceeded initial expectations.

The same source stressed that in previous years they held the “miss 30+”, “miss plus size”, but this year they decided to resume the miss with the “standards” that society imposes, and says they believe that this return was popular with the public .

Miss Karmelize Barbosa considered that this is the beginning of the realization of her dream of being a model.

However, she highlighted that this result is a victory, yes, but also a way of demonstrating to society that, because she is already a mother, she can still fight for her dreams.

And it is in this sense that she asked all young mothers not to give up on any dream, because being a mother “does not prevent anyone from living and winning”, she underlined, stressing that it is necessary to “ignore destructive criticism and move forward with focus on the objective”.

Since the month of May, the Association for the Development of Lém has been carrying out a series of cultural and sporting activities, which culminate on the 11th with athletics events, donkey racing and cycling events, among others.

This activity was carried out as part of the festivities of the Nhô Santo António Flag Festival, celebrated on the 13th of June, which takes place in the town of Lém, in Nova Sintra.