In less than a fortnight, on February 22 to be  precise, the verdict shall be passed on which beauty will be crowned Miss Rwanda 2014, a prestigious title that will see her rise to stardom not only in the Rwanda public domain but the world over; hopefully at the Miss Universe beauty pageant.

The regional preliminaries discerned the entire group of Miss Rwanda hopefuls to the final fifteen. Here they are;

Grace Agasaro, 23 – Northern Province

She is a student pursuing a degree in Information Science and was 2nd runner-up in the Northern Province. 

Asked what inspired her to join the contest, she says it has been her dream and she believes she has got what it takes to win the title.  

Agasaro says it is within one’s capability to discover, shape, determine and even change the course of one’s own destiny. She describes herself as honest, social, and polite but very unpredictable. 

Once crowned Miss Rwanda, she intends to join programmes that encourage the growth of patriotism among the Rwandan youth with the main focus on what unites them other than what divides them.

Merveille Uwase, 20 –  Western Province

She is a student that dreams of becoming an economist; to use every chance she has to improve Rwanda across the region and the world as a whole. She emerged 2nd runner up in the Western province preliminaries. She describes herself as a "go getter”. Asked whether she intends to pursue a modeling career, she says she has no further intentions whatsoever.

Vanessa Mpogazi, 18 – Western Province

She is Miss West and a student hoping to join university to pursue Business Studies. She describes herself as a very courageous person, understanding and persistent. It has been her dream since childhood to be Miss Rwanda.  

She loves music and singing. She intends to use her position as Miss Rwanda if crowned to help the government rebuild the image of Rwanda internationally and promote tourism. Mpogazi says by virtue of being Rwandan, it’s within her to serve her country in whichever way possible. 

Ruth Uwera, 21 - Eastern Province

She is pursuing a degree in architecture and the 1st runner-up of the Eastern Province. Uwera is very passionate about fashion, and intends to equally pursue a career in modeling at an international level. 

She describes herself as a persistent hard worker, flexible, honest and a fair person with great admiration for sports, especially swimming. 

She joined the contest largely because of the many opportunities the title usually presents to its bearers.

Yvonne Mukayuhi, 22 - Eastern Province

Calm natured, persistent with unrivaled determination at whatever she does, Mukayuhi says she is a very strong contender for the title basing on the fact that she is elegant; something she believes is required to win the title.  

She was the 2nd runner up in the Eastern Province and is pursuing a degree in Business Management. Mukayuhi intends to encourage a reading culture that will see the youth broaden their knowledge.

Nadia Uwera, 22 – Kigali City

She is an incredible basketball player, an international relations student and the 2nd runner-up in Kigali. Uwera is largely driven by hope; she will use her position as Miss Rwanda to take a fundamental role as the instrument of peace and love within and outside Rwanda. She describes herself as friendly and a good listener. 

She listens to gospel music whenever she feels low.

Marlene Mutoniwase, 22 – Northern Province

Mutoniwase is a Finance student at Kigali Independent University (ULK) with an obsession for modeling. She has a strong love for her country and feels the need to promote and export Rwandan culture in exchange for hefty investments. 

She sees herself as the strongest candidate to act as ambassador of Rwanda once crowned basing on her patriotic ideologies. 

Umutoniwase describes herself as "spontaneous” and very honest with an immense love for music and movies.

Colombe Akiwacu, 19 – Eastern Province

She is Miss Eastern province and hopes to join university to pursue a degree in Computer Science. She describes herself as peaceful, generous and serious; virtues that explain why she has earned favour in all aspects of her life. 

Akiwacu joined the contest because of the zeal to become successful and will use her position (should she win) to help in the eradication of drug abuse among the youth.

Lydie Kayitesi, 21 – Southern Province

She is currently a student pursuing a degree in civil engineering and holds the 2nd runner up position in her province. She is free spirited, funny and friendly and a strong believer in herself.  She says that with or without the title, she will still build her dream as a fashion icon and professional model on the international scene. 

Kayitesi says the youth are often overridden by peer pressure and adolescence and wants to use her position when crowned Miss Rwanda to act as a role model to young girls and encourage them to take care of themselves.

Carmen Akineza, 22 – Kigali 

She is a finance student at College of Business and Economics (CBE) and currently carries the crown of Miss Kigali. 

Akineza yearns for success and isn’t known for easily giving up. She took part in the Miss Rwanda 2012 beauty pageant and was in the top five. 

Asked whether anything changed about her that will get her crowned this time round, she said the life always favours those that keep trying. 

She describes herself as adventurous, honest, cheeky and sensitive. She hopes to use her position to push for self reliance for the youth once crowned Miss Rwanda.

Erica Emmanuela Urwibutso, 19 – Kigali 

She was the 1st runner-up in Kigali and is a student hoping to join university very soon to study business. She is known for her unrivaled confidence that has brought her success in all she does. 

She says her desire for greatness compels her to be confident enough to reach out for everything the world has to offer. Urwibutso joined the contest largely for fame and money and other opportunities the title comes with.

Anesie Mahoro, 21 – Western Province

She is a student pursuing a degree in Information Science and was the 2nd runner-up in the Western Province. Mahoro was inspired to join the contest by her friends and family besides being an already experienced model.  

She describes herself as a kind-natured and open-minded person with a passion for fashion photography.Mahoro intends to spend a lot of time tackling the challenges the youth face and encouraging girl child education should she win.

Hitayezu Belyse, 19 – Southern Province

She is Miss southern Province and is a student of Psychology. She describes herself as humorous, social and full of surprises. She was inspired by her friends and family to join the contest.  

She believes a degree in psychology will raise her understanding of the human mind better and understand the challenges of the youth. She intends to serve as a source of inspiration once crowned winner.

Mouna Dukunde, 18 – Southern province

She was the first runner in the Southern Province and is a student hoping to join university for a degree in Finance and Accounting. She describes herself as cheeky and likes to hang out with friends. 

She likes the Rwandan traditional dance as it makes her appreciate her heritage. Dukunde joined the competition because she believes she has what it takes and wants to promote Rwanda beyond the East African borders.

Melissa Isimbi, 20 – Northern Province

She is Miss Northern Province and is pursuing a degree in Computer Science. She says she perfectly defines a fusion of beauty and brains, is self motivated, honest, social but very short tempered. 

She joined the contest as a self-test to examine her own limits and wants to use the Miss Rwanda title mainly to exploit her potential and influence the youth positively. She loves swimming and watching movies.