In an interview with Shonaye Leslie, the Black and Beautiful Miss Hannah’s Beauty 2024 shares her inspiration and motivation for taking part in this year’s Miss Bird of Paradise Pageant. Inspired by the intellectual women’s community in Papua New Guinea and motivated by her family, friends, and social group, Shonaye takes pride in participating in this year's pageant. Shonaye Leslie comes from mixed parentage of Buka and Gulf Province and is the eldest of 8 siblings in an extended family with a strong Catholic background. She attended the all-girls Catholic school, Marianville Secondary School at Bomana, before being selected to study Biochemistry at the Port Moresby National High School. Graduating with a bachelor's degree in medical laboratory science from the University of Papua New Guinea, Shonaye worked with the Port Moresby General Hospital for a year and volunteered with Special Olympics PNG. She said, “Being the oldest of 8 siblings has given me a sense of responsibility and accountability so that the things I do are reflected in a way that is positive and encourages success in education, passion, and self-development for pure fulfillment in life. So, what drives me is my family because I want to be an image of goodness, grace, and intelligence.” Inspired by her community to pursue this path towards the 2024 Miss Bird of Paradise Pageant, Shonaye clarified her inspiration, “My biggest inspiration is my community, and when I speak about my community, I do not only talk about my family, friends, where I live, and where I come from. This community includes my social life, work, school, and the women before me who have taken part in the Miss Bird of Paradise Pageant. The community of intellectual people that empowers change, growth, and fairness—these are the communities that inspired me to challenge my limits.” Shonaye expressed her strong passion for minority groups. When asked about the causes or social issues she is most passionate about and how she plans to use this platform to advocate for them, she answered, “The most obvious will be the minority groups. I want to help bring them health and education so that they can live a more fulfilling life.” “I work in the health service and have noticed that our country lacks health and education. It is something we all need to work together to improve and not only rely on the government,” Shonaye added. Women’s empowerment and equal rights are causes she shows dedicated support for, and she believes everyone has equal rights and equitable access to every fundamental service in Papua New Guinea. “Like health and education, these are the fundamental things that improve the lives of basic and average Papua New Guineans,” said Shonaye. Shonaye Leslie embodies a commitment to service, advocacy, and self-improvement. Through her participation in the Miss Bird of Paradise Pageant, she aims to inspire others to strive for positive change. Her story is a testament to the power of community, education, and perseverance. As she continues this journey, Shonaye hopes to leave a legacy of compassion, grace, and empowerment for future generations.