Down to Earth, natural and committed, Leslassa has a positive spirit which touches people in a very ‘real’ way. Born in Dominica to Dominican parents, Leslassa has lived in a number of other islands including Barbados, St. Vincent and Haiti. At the tender age of 13, Leslassa faced a medical diagnosis which threatened her mobility, however, passionate about her dancing and sports she defied the odds and through her determination and discipline came through the condition successfully. Leslassa’s ability to be unwavering in her dedication to see a task through to a positive conclusion is one of her most admirable assets; the type of young woman who embodies the ideal characters of a Miss Dominica.
At 19 years old Leslassa is an example of what hard work and commitment can produce and has grasped every opportunity and overcame every challenge she has faced in life. A proud graduate of the Harrison College in Barbados where she lived with her mother and 2 brothers, she obtained 8 CXC O levels. At the Rothesay College in New Brunswick, Canada she was honoured with the Institution’s most prestigious senior female award for ‘Fine Character, Scholarship & Sportsmanship’ and graduated with top marks for the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. Leslassa, having demonstrated her leadership skills through academic, extra-curricular & volunteer activities was elected Head of House.
Coupled with her academic achievements, Leslassa has received numerous distinctions and merits in the arts. An accomplished dancer, while at College she was awarded “Greatest Dance Contribution”. She recently placed 2nd in the Dominica Can Dance competition which was held on 8th December 2012. Her love of dance has also led her to her current roles as Dance Teacher at both Pioneer Preparatory School and at the Old Mill Institute of the Arts here in Dominica.
Leslassa has been a vegetarian all her life and believes passionately in conservation and living in balance with nature. She fully appreciates the importance of holistic education, her pageant platform, and the need for all Dominicans to have the opportunity to achieve their full potential. Her motto ‘find your passion & excel’ is one of the main expectations of fully integrated Holistic Education.
As well as dance, she is passionate about national development and her current tasks at the Anchorage Hotel Whale Watch & Dive Center allow her to contribute to the development of Dominica’s Tourism Industry. Leslassa knows that tourism is now the main economic sector in Dominica, but also recognizes the urgent need for Global food security. To this end she is keen to further her studies in Agricultural Economics.
A friend’s friend, Leslassa, which means ‘Harmony’ in Amharic, an Ethiopian language, has been described by friends, teachers and colleagues as a brilliant and joyful addition to any group.