Sixteen year-old Lydia Claire Lucien calls Pignon—a small town in central Haiti—home. Born of a Haitian dad, and an American mom, Lucien is this year’s Miss Teen Haiti. She won her title in Miami this past March, and traveled to Chicago this past November to represent Haiti at the Miss International Pageant in that city.
She has a rigid plan of action, and she chatted with Kreyolicious about beauty, setting her goals and using her platform for good.
Tell us about your pageant experience.
My pageant experience is actually very recent and the first pageant I ever did was Miss Teen Haiti International. To my surprise, I walked away with the title. It’s been a wonderful experience to share my platform and to meet many other girls like myself from all around the world. I have learned a lot through my year already as Miss Teen Haiti and I have been very blessed to have had this opportunity.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
In my spare time I enjoy cooking, volunteering at Camp De La Grace as a translator for visiting teams and I am in a youth choir at my church. I also enjoy writing poetry, and—like any teenager—just being with my friends.
How do your parents feel about your win?
My parents are always very supportive in things that I do. I believe they are very proud of me for trying to make a difference in my country and without them I would not have even been able to participate in the pageant. I am very thankful for their support and love.
When do you feel the most pretty?
Interesting question—but, honestly—it is when I’m happy. That may not be when I’m competing and have professional hair and makeup, but I think that beauty is much more than that. I believe beauty should be found in how we treat and love others and less judged on your outward experience.
What’s your advice for those who would like to compete in pageants?
My advice would be the same I would give to anyone who is pursuing any type of goal. That would be to not give up and try your best because anything you work hard towards is bound to pay off in the end. Watching a lot of pageants helps as well and seeing how things should be done is very helpful. Pageants and having a title [gives] a great platform to share your cause, but you can make a difference with or without a title and we need to remember that. But of course, just have fun! Win or lose, you will meet many ladies who will quickly turn into lifelong friends.
You must have a lot of goals. What are your goals for the next few years?
My goals for the next few years are, of course, finishing high school and continuing college. I would like to continue raising funds for children to go to school even after I pass on my crown. Before my reign ends, I hope to pay tuition for one hundred kids to go to school in Haiti. Thus far, I’ve raised funds for twenty five and I’m very excited to continue raising funds for this [endeavor]. I am not discouraged because I have not raised my full goal yet, but I know with hard work it can be done. I love this quote that says “It must be borne in mind that the tragedy of life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach.” I will not stop and cannot wait to see where life will take me after this chapter of my life is complete.