Born to Marie-Therese Green and Gerard Elie on November 22nd 1994, twenty-year-old Odessa Marah Elie resides in the tranquil community of Bath Estate. Her first name, Odessa, is of Greek origin and it means “the odyssey,” which is a long and adventurous journey. Odessa believes that life is an adventure.

At an early age, Miss Elie became interested in a number of activities, including singing and drawing. She attended the St Martin’s Primary School, where she was a member of the choir. At the Convent High School she pursued twelve subjects at CXC level, obtaining eight ones and four twos. In her leisure time Miss Elie enjoys reading and dancing.

Her fierce love for success has prompted her to compete for various leadership positions and to join a number of clubs in and out of high school in order to be a well rounded individual. Miss Elie was also a member of the CHS Speech Chorale group, the CHS communications/debate club, the Cathedral’s Young Catholic Christians Youth Group and the Waitukubuli Dance Theatre Company. Her greatest achievements thus far have been acquiring the leadership position of Head Girl in her final year of high school, the title of Miss DSC Mas Jamboree 2013, the award for the top performer in Computer Science at the Dominica State College 2013 Commencement Ceremony, and most recently, the title of Miss Dominica 2015.

Miss Elie is currently a teacher at the Convent High School, where she continues to develop herself as a young adult. Being a teacher brings her great joy, as it enables her to interact with and serve as a mentor for young people. In the future, she would like to further assist the youth in improving themselves academically, developing their talents and becoming well-rounded persons. This is why she has chosen the platform “The Power of Perception.” Miss Elie truly believes that our perception of ourselves and the situations surrounding us today can affect our entire future. She remembers one of her high school teachers who shared a very important quote with her class, which has been very dear to her ever since: “Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.” It was this quote from Henry Ford which helped to mold her into the determined and focused young lady that she is today, and she believes that if everyone sets long-term and short-term goals for themselves, and is confident that these goals are achievable, success is guaranteed. It is all a matter of perception.