Nineteen-year old Barbine Umutoni was crowned Miss High School during a colorful event at Sports View Hotel, Kigali on Sunday. Umutoni, a senior six student from Lycee De Kigali, beat off tight competition from first runner-up Sonia Songa, from Ecole Française, and second runner-up Kelly Uwineza, from IFAK.   

Umutoni could not hide her excitement after she was announced as the winner of the inaugural Miss High School contest. "This is unbelievable! Winning a beauty pageant has always been my dream and I am lucky it has come to pass,” she beamed.

She walked away Rwf200, 000 richer, while the first and second runners-ups also received cash prizes, Rwf100, 000 and Rwf50, 000, respectively.

Other winners included Auger Aurika, from Ecole Belge, who was named Miss Photogenic, Asha Kharim Umutesi, from SOS Kagugu, Miss Creativity. Second runner-up Uwineza won Miss Popularity while Nadine Ishimwe, from APE Rugunga, was got the Miss Congenity crown.

The inaugural beauty pageant attracted 11 schools, FAWE Girls School, Lycee De Kigali, Lycee Notre Dame de Citeaux, APE Rugunga, Glory Secondary School, SOS Kagugu, Ecole Belge, IPRS Kicukiro, Saint Patrick, Ecole Francaise and IFAK Kimihurura.

The event started at 6p.m with comedian Babou sending guests into rib-breaking laughter. The event mainly attracted holidaymakers, while several beauty queens from various varsities also attended.

The first round of the contest required students to model in their respective school uniform. The second round was all about creative wear while in the third round contestants modeled in casual wear. There was also a question and answer session conducted in either English or French depending on the contestant’s choice.