Bali, Indonesia – Marilyn Chagoya, who as a little girl was considered the "ugly duckling" of the class, wants to make her mark as the first Mexican ever to win the Miss World competition which will be held on the Indonesian island of Bali this Saturday, September 28th.

"In school they called me ‘the monster’ and now I’m representing the beauty of the Mexican woman," the native of Poza Rica, Veracruz said, adding that if she becomes Miss World she intends to raise international awareness with regard to school bullying.

"I came with a plan: I want to leave my mark. Mexico has never won Miss World," the 21-year-old model and college student said.

The Miss World contest, held for the first time in 1951, takes into account the overall beauty, confidence, social conscience, elegance, personality, poise, and physical health of the candidates from more than 130 countries.

The contest’s final phase will be viewed on live television by more than 200 million people around the world, organizers say.

Chagoya, who a year ago began studying the language and culture of Indonesia, said that since the contestants arrived in Bali 24 days ago "a nice connection" has developed among all the young women.

"I came to win, and not only the crown but also friendships, homes and households in other countries," she emphasized.

The contest winner, who traditionally moves to London to live, where the competition headquarters is, will spend her one-year reign visiting benefit programs and social projects around the world.