During our visit to the Career Fair in Amsterdam, we had the pleasure of meeting a very friendly young woman: Sharlena Clarinda. Originally from Aruba, Sharlena now lives in the Netherlands to continue her studies. She is also in the final stages of preparing to represent Aruba in the upcoming Miss Universe Dutch Caribbean competition. The final event will take place on April 6th, and Sharlena is eager to showcase her home island and share her culture with the Dutch public.
Sharlena is no stranger to the world of beauty pageants. Since the age of 16, she has participated in several competitions, including two international representations for Aruba. However, this particular event holds special significance, as it marks the first time that Miss Universe has included the Dutch Caribbean as a province. This provides an invaluable opportunity for young people like Sharlena—who came to the Netherlands for educational and personal development—to keep their culture alive and share it with others.
“It’s an honor for me to represent Aruba, but also the other five islands that are part of Miss Universe Dutch Caribbean,” Sharlena shared. “I want to use this platform to promote our culture and raise awareness about our island. In the Netherlands, our culture is not very well known, and if I can help change that, it would be a dream come true.”
Sharlena’s preparation for the competition is in its final stages. She has the support of a dedicated team in Aruba, who guide her through regular video calls. Outside of the competition, Sharlena is focused on her studies in Commercial Economics at the Hoge School Amsterdam.
Sharlena encourages all Arubans living in the Netherlands to come out and support her, as well as the other contestants, during the final night of Miss Universe Dutch Caribbean. For those interested, tickets are available online via the competition’s website, and links can be found on Sharlena’s social media pages.
