Polona Bas took the stage as Miss Slovenia in the recently televised Miss Universe pageant in Panama City, Panama. But local residents saw her as a friend, rather than the representative of a European nation.
That's because Bas, a 21-year-old hostess at a Slovenia beach hotel, who also attends the College of Tourism, lived in South Union Township from September 2000 to July 2001 with host family Tom and Leah Walls and their daughter, Gretchen.
While here, Bas earned a high school diploma from Laurel Highlands High School, received a driver's license, studied dance at Ginny Tanner Dace Studio in Uniontown, won a school talent contest with a routine of rhythmic gymnastics, went to the Laurel Highlands High School prom and made a lot of friends.
In fact, Bas competed internationally in rhythmic gymnastics and hoped to participate in the 2000 Olympics when she became injured and her career was cut short. Bas came to Fayette County instead where she made an impression on those who knew her.
At the Miss Universe pageant, Amelia Vega, 18, of the Dominican Republic took the crown. But Bas had her own cheering section here in southwestern Pennsylvania.
Bas returned home to Slovenia after the pageant, but through e-mail, the Herald-Standard was able to catch up with her for an interview.
Q. Can you provide some basic background information on yourself?
A. "My name is Polona and I am 21 years old. My father's name is Igor and my mother's name is Ida. I have a sister, Mojca. She is 26 and is returning to the USA for college and babysitting.'
Q. How old were you when the war (in the former Yugoslavian nations) was going on and how did it effect you growing up?
A. "We got independence in 1991, which means that I was about nine years old. We had a war in my country but it only lasted one week or so. Yes, it did affect me. Probably not the war in my country, because, actually it wasn't a nasty war. It was really easy but still I was afraid. I think that I got more touched by the war in Croatia, Bosnia and other former Yugoslavian countries. It's not a great feeling if there is a war in the neighboring country and, especially, when your relatives live there. I was watching the news almost everyday because we didn't know if it's going to get to us or not. I remember that we had a really bad time in my family. My cousin and my aunt lived with us for a month or so because of the war in their country, Croatia. My uncle was called to service.
"You get affected by the war even if you are not directly in it. My cousin was crying all the time. She didn't know if she was going to see her father again or not. This was terrible. I remember one event: it was an international competition in rhythmic gymnastics in our capital. There were five girls from Bosnia. This was I think in 1994 or 1995. At the end of the competition at the party, they were crying because they were so afraid to go back home. They had a really terrible trip to go through. I just know that we all cried.
"And there is one more thing. My father worked in Bosnia for three years. This wasn't a pleasant time either. You never knew what was going to happen. I was always scared that I wouldn't see him again.'
Q. How did you become interested in gymnastics and what was your training?
A. "I started with rhythmic gymnastics when I was three and a half years old. I was so bandy that my parents decided to sign me up. Somehow I ended up in this sport. Ever since, this was my life. All I ever knew was my family and the training. I went to the world championship in Seville in Spain in 1998. After that, we started to prepare for the world championship in Japan and we could have participated in that and if we would have qualified for the Olympics, then I would have gone to Sidney. There were some political issues but I was one of the contestants who would have gone to both competitions. Almost six months after my competition in Spain, I was injured and I had to stop my career. I don't know if that's why I got to come to Pennsylvania, but I think it was destiny. I had to get injured, otherwise I would never have come to Uniontown.'
Q. What is it like to be Miss Slovenia?
A. "I was crowned on Feb. 16, 2003. The competition was great. Actually, I didn't expect too much. I mean I wanted to give my best and I did, but it wasn't the one thing for me to win. I didn't expect it at all. No one knew I even applied for the pageant except my family. So there was actually no one to cheer for me except them. I went on the stage (I love to perform), had a great time and had a lot of fun with other girls backstage.
"I don't travel a lot. I don't have many responsibilities. The title doesn't mean much in my country. All I need to do is attend some events. Otherwise, my life stayed the same. What is it like? It's cool. I mean it's a great experience and you truly meet people you would otherwise never meet, and it's funny if someone recognizes you, but as I said, my life truly didn't change.'
Q. What was it like to compete in the Miss Universe pageant?
A. "To compete in the Miss Universe pageant is a great honor. Just to be a part of the whole show, I think, is amazing. I felt magnificent. I just enjoyed the whole crowd and the feeling to perform on that kind of stage. You know, all I want is to perform and I loved it. When we had the dancing parts - that was the best. At the final show, I didn't care anymore because you know inside of you the truth, reality. I truly had a great time and I would do it again if I could.'
Q. How were the other contestants?
A. "They were great. We had one little club of girls although I talked to all of them and we all together had a really good time. There were some girls who thought that they were something more than anyone else, but that's o.k.'
Q. What do you think the judges were looking for? Were you disappointed that you didn't win?
A. "I don't know what they were looking for because all my favorites fell out.
"When they announced the Top 15, I said to myself, 'Okay, not a bad decision.' I agreed with it. But then when they announced the Top 10 and Miss USA, Greece and Panama fell out, I was, like, what is going on?
"And then after the Top 5, I was shocked. Miss Czech Republic, Canada.. fell out. There were only two of my favorites left: Japan and Venezuela. After that, I wanted Miss Venezuela to win. I was truly disappointed with the decision of the judges.
"I wasn't disappointed at all (that I didn't win) because I knew realistically that I have no chance. There are many different reasons for that kind of thinking.'
Q. Did you meet any celebrities as Miss Slovenia in Europe or in Panama?
A. "No, actually I didn't. The choreographer was in the movie 'Miss Congeniality' with Sandra Bullock, and Donald Trump.'
Q. What did you think of Panama? Did you see much of the country while you were there?
A. "I liked Panama a lot. It was too humid for me and I liked the Panama Canal, but, honestly, I didn't see much of the country. Just the canal, Presidency House and the hotel.'
Q. Have you visited other countries as Miss Slovenia?
A. "No, I didn't.'
Q. Did you have friends in Uniontown call you in Panama or since the Miss Universe competition? Do they keep in touch by e-mail or letters?
A. "My friends in Uniontown are great! Yes, we keep in touch all the time since I left. Of course, everyone has things to do so sometimes we don't e-mail each other for a long time. But that's ok! I think of them all the time. You know, this one year in Uniontown was an amazing experience that I will never forget! I appreciate everything they did for me during the time I was there and ever since. I thank them also for supporting me. They all are a big part of me! Honestly, I don't think I would have ever participated in a beauty pageant if I wouldn't have been in Uniontown, met all these great people and, especially, if they wouldn't have accepted me just the way I am.'
Q. Is there any chance you'll come back to Uniontown in the near future? And what do you miss the most about the United States?
A. "I miss the most the family I have lived with: the Walls, family Papke, all my friends (if I would start writing all their names down, I wouldn't stop for a while) so I'm just going to say I miss everyone I met, everyone I love in Uniontown. I think they all know who they are.
"I hope I will come back. I've been saying I'll come back for almost three years now and I know I will. I just don't know when because of school, work and money but I'll figure something out.'
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