Her initial plan was to spend her summer in Trinidad. But everything changed when her future brother-in-law, a New York child psychologist told her about the pageant.

“He knew I loved modeling and felt that I had the ability to win,” she said. Bernard took him up on the offer and immediately called pageant director Renee Cummings. According to Bernard she was still a bit undecided because her mind was set on coming home to T&T and relaxing for the summer but had no choice but to commit when Cummings said, ‘so what is there to think about, why go home for a vacation simply as Penny Bernard when you can go home for free as Miss Trinidad & Tobago New York? Wouldn’t that be more fabulous?’

“If you know Renee, she has a way with words. So the next day, I was at rehearsals,” said Bernard.

On the night, she soared. Bernard won three of four fashion categories. She won Saturday Night Special, in a fiery red feathered sequin dress; Sunday Best in a yellow Sari; and Street Life in a stylish three piece suit with suspenders, top hat and a cane. She also won Best Evening Gown. Her gown was designed by Jeanine Renee and Maxine Monsegue, young T&T born designers working in fashion in New York City. Her hair was styled by the master stylist Clem Lue Yat.

Although first runner up, Fayola Alibey, won the Cheryl Byron Challenge Trophy for Best talent, Bernard’s multi-cultural dance performance dazzled the audience as she moved from African to Indian to Castilian and then to Chinese dance creatively using a wooden umbrella. The dance was choreographed by her mother, Joan Grace Bernard.