NINETEEN-year-old Lavinia Mocetoka of Seaqaqa in Macuata is looking forward to motivate youths in the north to follow the right direction instead of resorting to criminal activities.
She is among eight contestants who will be participating at the upcoming Crime Prevention Carnival set to start at Labasa's Subrail Park on June 21 and end on June 23.
The seventh-former at Labasa Sangam (SKM) College said a lot of youths, especially those who dropped out from schools, resorted to criminal activities because of the lack of moral support from home.
"It's imperative that we direct youths into the right path so they can do something better in life instead of committing criminal activities," Ms Mocetoka said.
"The upcoming carnival is a good time to increase awareness on crime prevention because there will be a lot of people attending it.
"As a teenager, I believe in helping my peers who are unfortunate, especially those who have no support from their individual homes," she said.
Ms Mocetoka said winning the crown was something she had not aimed for but it was portraying a positive message to the youths that pushed her to take part in the carnival.
"It's all about working hand in hand to build a better place and I know this is the only way to a safer and secure Fiji," she said.