This year, five intelligent, charismatic and talented young beauties will be vying for the Miss Teen British Virgin Islands Scholarship Pageant title. The contestants were revealed last evening, July 12 at Maria's By The Sea.

This is the pageant's 10th anniversary and it will be held on October 6 at the Eileene Parson's Auditorium under the theme, 'It's A Celebration'.

The contestants are #1- Kamyce Penn (platform-health and wellness); #2- Erika Renae Creque (platform-national pride); #3- Keje Hendrickson (platform-depression among the youth); #4- Diamond Lake (platform-teen suicide); and #5- Shamoia Kiara Maduro (platform-discouraging gang violence in the BVI). They are all 17 years old.

The Miss Teen BVI 2012 contestants on July 12, 2012.

Photo Credit: Melissa Edwards/BVI Platinum News

The Miss Teen BVI 2012 contestants on July 12, 2012.

Photo Credit: Melissa Edwards/BVI Platinum News

Committee President, Rupert Vanterpool Jr. has always maintained that the pageant continues to attract more young, intellectual contestants and the renaming and focus of the pageant to the Miss Teen British Virgin Islands Scholarship Pageant as of 2010 was a major contributor.

The 2012 Miss Teen British Virgin Islands will receive a $3,000 scholarship award, a $1,000 cash prize, attend several overseas pageants and other prizes. First runner up will receive a $1,500 scholarship award and a $500 cash prize. Second runner up will receive a $1,000 scholarship award and a $300 cash prize and other tangible prizes. The non finalists will receive a $500.00 scholarship award, $150.00 cash prize and other tangible prizes.

The reigning Miss Teen BVI is Aschellica Fahie.

According to the committee, they encourage young people, through promotion of their talents, to demonstrate what a difference they can make in their communities.

"Our goal is to help each delegate gain confidence as they encounter challenges in an increasingly competitive world. We strive to provide each delegate the opportunity to grow and advance in their personal and career goals, while becoming a positive role model in society," the committee has stated.

According to the committee, the selected delegate of Miss Teen British Virgin Islands will become a teen ambassador of the British Virgin Islands and will have the opportunity to represent the British Virgin Islands in several pageants throughout the Caribbean and internationally.

"We encourage the selected to participate in a program and become involved in the community. She will develop a platform and speak for or against issues of concern to her and communities throughout the British Virgin Islands."

The Miss Teen British Virgin Islands which was founded in 2002, is an organization emphasizing intellectual growth, community awareness and cultural appreciation.