Kia Ora! My name is May Peri-Guenoun and I am the winner of Miss Asia Pacific International New Zealand (MAPI NZ) 2020. I am 26 years old and I graduated university with a double degree in law and psychology, I have also been admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.
I was originally born in Israel but I moved to New Zealand at the age of nine. My parents are Russian, Ukrainian, Egyptian, French Algerian, and Israeli mix, which explains my unique appearance. I am an only child, but growing up I was always surrounded by my extended family and grandparents.
Throughout my high school I was heavily involved in co-curriculars ranging from choir, barbershop, Indian dancing, ballroom dancing, Japanese, arts and crafts, and many more. These involvements led me to have an interest in community related events and charities. At university I was involved with the law society and organised social and networking events for the students, whilst also volunteering at charities like the Breast Cancer Foundation, Canteen, and YouthLaw.
I was not aware of what pageants truly involved until I made a friend that had won a pageant in the past and told me of her experience. Learning of the community and charity involvements that pageants had made me consider taking part. I knew that this opportunity of entering MAPI NZ 2020 would take me out of my comfort zone and put me on a platform where I would face challenges, both physical and mental. But I decided to embrace it and take on these challenges head on, as my mum always told me to grab any opportunity thrown my way as you never know where it will take you.
This journey, as challenging as it was, has taught me skills that will carry me throughout my life and career. Skills such as public speaking, networking, marketing, and so much more. This path has allowed me to grow and feel more empowered and more confident in myself as a person. The organisation has also allowed me to be more greatly involved in the community by supporting local businesses and charities like the SCOT Foundation, which is providing a brighter future to the less fortunate children here in New Zealand and the Philippines. I will continue the legacy that MAPI NZ national directors have started and hold myself to be worthy of their support and to changing the lives of those that need it.
Advice that I would impart to young women is to not wait around for opportunities or for the right time. When you pursue your goals or dreams start where you are at the current time and work with whatever tools you have. As you move along more opportunities will come and better tools will be available to you. My skills in public speaking were lacking but I am sharpening my tools as I go so that when another opportunity arises, I will be better than yesterday and speak to a large group of people without faltering.
As Oprah Winfrey once said: “You get in life what you have the courage to ask for.”
Photography: Jeff Velasco
