Mia is also likely to feel the "energy" from Guyanese support she wants when she is joined in Puerto Rico by the other four other finalists of the Miss Guyana Pageant, her relatives, and other supporters, including members of the Guyanese media, later next month.

It is perhaps the first time in history that a Miss Guyana will receive this kind of support from Guyanese in an international pageant in the country of the event.

Federal Management Systems (FMS), patron of the Miss Guyana/Universe Pageant, as well as McNeal Enterprises, which holds the Miss Guyana/Universe franchise, are making the trip to Puerto Rico for the four girls possible.

The presence of second, third, fourth and fifth place winners Petal DeSantos, Juanita Collins, Shammane Joseph and Asha Pieters will surely be reason for Mia to glow, as her face lit up when the possibility of the girls joining her in Puerto Rico was announced at a media reception two Fridays ago.

Mia left Guyana last Tuesday and since then has been undergoing rigorous training in Washington D.C. before moving on to Puerto Rico where the Miss Universe Pageant will be held on May 29.

She has been working her extra weight off in the gym under the guidance of a specialist trainer, along with Miss USA first runner-up Lianne Angus.

Mr. Robert Dover, who trained Angus and the current Miss USA, is giving Mia modelling tips.

She is also doing a few courses on handling interviews.

This will come in handy in the next few days, as Mia will be doing some television interviews in Washington, Communications Consultant to McNeal Enterprises, Mr. Steve Ninvalle told the Chronicle.

FMS is paying for all of Mia's training and expenses in the U.S.

FMS is also sponsoring Miss Guyana's evening gown for the night of the competition. (NEIL MARKS)