Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine July 2017 | Page 221

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Getti
Chanelle
Wilhelmina
Maria de Lau
Miss Curacao 2016
Early Life and Career
Chanelle was born on February 5, 1995 in
Curacao. The daughter of a Jamaican-born
mother and Dutch-born father, Chanelle
attended the then Pire College and Radulphus
College. She started dancing at Fina Danceart
School at the tender age of 4 and started
modelling at age 11.
In dancing Chanelle appeared locally in various
presentations of ballet, jazz, hip hop and
contemporary dances.
In modelling Chanelle entered UNDUO,
a local modelling contest where she was
placed second. She walked locally in various
fashions shows, in Curacao Fashion Week and
internationally in Mercedes Benz Fashion Week
in Miami.
Recent Years
During her exam year in high school, Chanelle
lost her father to cancer at the age of 16. He
fought hard but unfortunately passed away in
November 2011. While coping with the loss of
her father, Chanelle still managed to graduate
high school with top grades.
As a project towards her final examination, she
chose to organize a visit to Habaai, a home
for the elderly on the island. She cooked and
brought gifts for them and also entertained
them for a day. This brought so much
satisfaction to her that she decided she would
like to give more recognition to the elderly. The
elderly should never be put away in homes to
be forgotten. Regular visits and outings should
be at least a weekly tradition. She believes we
should value the experience that comes with
age and respect our elders.
Chanelle is currently studying International
Business and Management. As discovered
through a reflection test with her fellow
classmates, she is considered to be very
hardworking, direct, outspoken, talkative and
very confident. This was not always the case.
As a kid growing up, Chanelle was very shy and
insecure about herself. Tall and sometimes
awkward, she found comfort in staying close to
a minimal amount of friends who are still her
friends today.