In June 2006, she won the title of Miss Netherlands and in September of the same year joined the Miss World competition in Warsaw-Poland.

By Sheryl Lynn Baas
(Miss Netherlands 2006-2007)
The Netherlands-January 2008

I was born in Rotterdam on January 2, 1984, almost a New Year's baby. Growing up, I had a wonderful youth and I was lucky to be raised within two cultures. I have very loving parents and one dear brother, Brian, with whom I have a close bond. My mother, Susan, is from the Philippines and my father, Jan, is from the Netherlands.

When I was 4 years old we moved from Rotterdam to Capelle aan den IJssel, where my parents bought their first house. It was great to grow up there, as there were many children of my age and we lived next to the forest and to the water.

As a child I was more of the boyish type; I loved running around, playing about, building huts, climbing and playing soccer. I did not lose my girl side though, for my favorite hobby was dancing. I've done classical ballet, jazz ballet, ballroom dancing, street dance, cheerleading, and tap dancing and at the age of 16 I got selected for a show ballet group, in which I performed for several years and even got to dance abroad.

My high school years I enjoyed as well. I've had my share of being teased in my first year, but the years after that were a lot of fun. I was an active student and joined the school's music nights, helped at cultural events and made it to the cheerleading team.

In my last year of Gymnasium I was chairman of the student council, which was an honor for me. At my graduation I was awarded with a special book for being best in my Latin class, another great honor. Things were going pretty well in my study career, but that changed when I went to University...

It's a bit embarrassing to say it, but I changed my studies 2 times without finishing one. When I went straight to University after getting my high school diploma, I had no idea of what I wanted to do or become. I took up Business Administration together with my best friend at the Erasmus University, but this was not the study for me. I decided to quit and follow a course to determine what study would be right for me. This led to results that had to do with dancing/acting/singing, but I wanted these things to remain a hobby. Then I was advised to do something that had to do with children and therefore I took up Pedagogy. This was not the study for me either, because I loved to be around children, but not study children.

That's when I decided to give my 'entertainment' side a shot. I auditioned for a musical school and filled out an application form for the Miss Netherlands contest. Both without any real result: the musical school wanted to see me again next year after some training and from the Miss Netherlands Organisation I heard nothing...

I decided once and for all to stick with studying again and I took up Dutch Law. Finally this was something I liked. I imagined myself becoming a Fiscal Lawyer or start my own consultancy company.

Then during my studies something unexpected happened: I got a letter from the Miss Netherlands Organisation. It said that I had passed the first selection process and that I was invited to an official casting round. Even though I had already made the decision to choose study over 'entertainment', I couldn't resist taking a chance and so I went to the casting. This eventually led to me being selected for the Miss South-Holland Final, which then led to me becoming Miss South-Holland!

As a Province Miss I had to go to Turkey for a week with the other 11 Province Misses to prepare for the Grand Miss Netherlands Final. This was another choosing point in my life, as this week in Turkey was planned in the same week of my Law exams. Again I followed my heart and chose to experience this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and took off to Turkey. I'm happy I did, because it has been one of the most amazing times of my life, no matter the outcomes of the Grand Final that would follow...

On June 18, 2006 I was lucky enough to be part of the spectacular Miss Netherlands Final in Studio 21 in Hilversum. My family & friends came to support me and I can still feel the excitement now, which I felt that evening. A special moment for me was my turn at the judges' table, where I was asked who my role model in life was. Again, I couldn't resist by speaking from the heart and told on national television that it was Jesus Christ.

Of course I can't describe in words what I felt when they announced the new Miss Netherlands and called out my name... I wanted to cry, laugh and scream at the same time! All I could think of was how I would give my 110% to make everyone proud of me during my reign. And so from day 1 I did my very best to do all that is expected from a Miss Netherlands: giving interviews (radio, television, newspapers and magazines), attending & hosting charity events, giving talks & presentations, doing photo sessions, working at different kind of events and of course participating in the Miss World 2006 contest. All of this has been absolutely amazing and it has been such a blessing to be given the possibility to do those things.

The most rewarding gift I got out of all this was being able to found my own foundation for the people in the Philippines. Since the age of 3, I have been confronted with the poverty in some parts of the Philippines and it was my future goal to help some of these people, especially the children. A big part of my heart has always belonged to the Philippines and when I became Miss Netherlands I knew this was an opportunity for me to realize my goal in an earlier stage of my life. On March 10, 2007 the Sheryl Lynn Foundation was officially launched and it is now active with several projects (www.sheryllynnfoundation.org).

Last October it was time to hand over my crown to the next lucky lady that became Miss Netherlands 2007. It was a very nice experience to meet the new finalists and share some time with them in Turkey during their preparation week.

I look back at my year with much joy & gratefulness and I'm lucky to have 2 things that I can keep for the rest of my life: the Sheryl Lynn Foundation and my crown!

A great thank you goes out to all who have supported me during my reign as Miss Netherlands and with my foundation. This means a lot to me.

After my reign I have taken on a new challenge in my life. My partner, André, and I moved to the other side of the world as exclusive distributors of the Dutch lingerie brand Marlies|Dekkers. We just opened a M|D store in the most luxurious mall of the city Montreal, where we live. It has been a great adventure to get settled in a new country and starting up business there.

Fortunately business is doing really good so far and the two of us are very happy in Montreal. So happy, that I'm excited to end my story by sharing some good news I got on my birthday last January 2. That day André took me to the top of the mountain 'Mont Royal' and there in the white scenery of the snow he asked me to marry him! A new stage in my life has started and I am looking forward to our marriage in 2009.

For the year 2008 I wish all of you the best and I hope this year will bring you much love, good health, great success and leave you very happy!

With love,

Sheryl Lynn Baas
Miss Netherlands 2006-2007
www.sheryllynnbaas.com
www.sheryllynnfoundation.org