Shpresa Vitia, now 20 years old, is known by her family and friends as Esa, and there is a very long dramatic history behind the construction cut and paste of that particular nick name (haha).
To make a long story short all ethnic minorities moving from one location to the other, you realise people are calling you “expresso” and “shapresa” shpresa just lacked meaning after all that, so now everyone calls me ESA. I was born in Prishtine in 1988, I lived in Vranjevc (which many people may refer to as the “ghetto” part of Prishtina) for 8 years, before my family was forced to relocate to the UK, in hopes for a better future like the rest of us. Growing up in Kosovo, was most definitely one of the biggest influences to date, living in poverty in a place that you love so much but lacking hope and not even being able to dream about a better future had a great impact on me, mostly because when I finally got away from all of that to a better place I was able to distinguish between the life that I lived and did not want to re-experience and the life I have and the opportunities in store for me, I definitely think that “he who has nothing his he who has everything” because I didn’t have anything, but it was nothing that inspired me and constructed my identity the values and norms that influence and encourage the decisions I make today.

Here in London, I live with my two younger siblings and my mum and dad, my family is very very important to me, they are my foundation and with out them I’m nothing, they have supported me through thick and thin. Growing up, I was socialised to respect older people, it hurts me to see how some of the new Albanian generations have fallen victims of identity erosion, because despite the global mobility within the UK, which is one of the highly culturally divers nations world wide, we must respect our mothers and fathers and remember that no matter what or where we still remain Albanian and we should never forget that, love your selves for who you are because no one else will if you don’t.

It’s funny how every generation, believes that they are the first to do the things they do and to be convinced that no one else understands them. At this particular phase, teenagers especially are vulnerable and seek certain directions that may have life lasting consequences. I was always a very hard headed individual with strong roots and was always loud and proud of whom I was. I didn’t turn to drinking or going clubbing everynight or even switching from boy to boy, to compensate for that lack of understanding from family or friends, rather I turned to music, and that was what saved me from making serious mistakes. I would listen to a wide range of music, from sole to jazz to rnb to hip hop, rap, rock indie, I started writing songs, which would reflect certain situations that were occurring at that time in my life or someone close to me. Writing songs is where I released all that negativity and energy. So even though I’m dragging on and talking a lot, its not about gaining a few thumbs up from people, but rather about informing people especially younger people, about the dangers of modern day societies and teaching them that there are ways of being positive, there are ways of being successful in what you do as long as you have the passion for it, remember anything is possible it takes time and practice but you can got it. My passion is definitely music and dance.

As for my occupation, I’m still a student, I just finished my 2nd year at university, I am currently studying Psychology, which I love, I must say that, studying psychology at university, is probably not going to make me a millionaire soon as I start working, but it has given me so much more, education is the ultimate key to success I believe that knowledge is the most powerful weapon, it provides people with tools that can aid them through many aspects of life.

What made you join the contest of Miss Shqiptarja ne UK?
Well for starts, because it was an Albanian organisation, which aimed to conserve and develop the interactions of the Albanian community within the UK. At the time I felt isolated within a society that lacked to understand and value the Albanian community, and we are constantly exposed to negative perceptions of a minority of Albanians within the media, people then tend to make wider generalisations about the other majority that work 8 to 8, 7 days a week to put food on the table. Being exposed to all these things, and being aware of the difficulties we as the ethnic minorities face if not physically morally, I felt I had to work 20 times harder and do as much as I possibly can to overcome all this negativity and Miss Shqiptarja ne UK was the place where I could go, to associate with many other Albanians, especially young women who shared similar elements to me, I felt like I was at home and it was a great place and time for all the girls to associate and to develop and maintain our identities as Albanians. To me the contest was much more than just a beauty contest, it’s not what you win it’s what you make of it, and I would rather be smart then be classified as physically beautiful by a number of people.

What has been the best moment and worst in the past year as Miss Shqiptarja ne Britani Give us a few highlights from the past year?
Being part of the Miss Shqiptarja ne UK family has been a life changing experience, many people might take this as cheesy, but I guess it depends on who you are as a person, and let’s just say I tend to be a very deep digger. I think that people can never know enough, and if someone thinks they know enough they are most definitely being arrogant, therefore I try to learn from every little to big situation that occurs in my life, and wining this contest was a BIG experience for me, I travelled to the other side of the world, and visited placed and people that I would probably have never done if otherwise, I learned things on a personal level that made me a better person, made me appreciate what I have. The whole experience was phenomenal and there was not one worst moment through out the year in relation the Miss. However, this year two things occurred, that affected me one that I would like to add to the above, the Kosovo Independence, which was the best moment, and sadly the Gerdec Tragedy which was the worst, (My prays go to all the victims, let god be with you). It’s these sorts of horrific situations that open our eyes, that have an impact on us, but it was also this situation that definitely showed how much love and support ALBANIANS have for one another and this makes me a prouder Albanian.

What were you thinking when you were called the winner?
Hmmm, despite what many people think I personally didn’t expect to win, I didn’t even think I was going to win, so therefore I was not prepared for winning. When they called out my number, I was lost (you can see in the photos, I was SHOCKED as hell). What me! No way! I didn’t know what to think I was just pleased, I was happy, even though it was the end of that evening for me it was a brand new chapter, it was just the beginning. I think that when people achieve something, no matter how small or large it is, you always have to stay grounded and dig your roots deep underground, those who wait and who are patient great things come to, its very easy to become diluted and forget about who you are, I think the most important things in life come for free, family friends loved once, physical looks can be taken away from a person in a matter of seconds, if my destiny is to have a car accident and lose all the looks I have I would still want people to respect me and love me the same as they did that morning before I left and got in that car. Life is only what you make of it.

You represented Albanian in Miss Earth, as we know the Miss Earth contest propagates ecological way of living. How is the nature - the symbol of life and development - important for you?
Well, that’s my point exactly, many people think that taking part in Miss Shqiptarja ne UK, was easy let me tell you (it was not). It took a lot of determination passion and love. Representing Albania in Miss Earth meant I had a lot on my shoulders, because I am originally from Kosovo I had to make sure my Albanian history was sharp, my knowledge of Albania’s ecological structure was sharp, and to make it more confusing I live in London. Many of the other girls who represented their countries lived in the country they represented. Despite all this, it was a great experience, the ecological activities were so full of depth, meaning and consisted of an informative nature, the actual time, money and effort put into saving mother nature is so great over there that it blew me away. It really brought me to my senses, because neither Albania or Kosovo, nor England show that much concern about the climate change and its deadly consequences.

It was a 12 hour trip from the capital Manila to Misibis, and on the way travelling by coach, we saw the outcomes of the powerful storms due to climate change, it was a horrific scene to experience, we were stuck in one place for hours, before we could move. The houses were filled with water, children were outside playing around and the water levels were above the knees. The one thing I love though was their positive attitude, and that’s what got them through it, here in London we get up miserable in the morning, we avoid one another and everything is fine, you wont believe how amazing the people in the Philippines are it makes you look at life in general from a different perceptive. The beauty contest it self, was also very encouraging, because it is a beauty pageant with a course. There were two main reasons as to why I went the first reason was because it aimed to develop and provide solutions for the ecological issues currently occurring, the other was to break the stereotypical perception of women portrayed by the media as sex symbols. So above all, I think mother nature consists of more power than most people think, think of it this way, it feeds us (by providing us with different products), but eventually it feeds on us. Nature is a beautiful gift given to us, we must look after it otherwise sooner or later we will all suffer from its effects.

What tips would you have for other beauty queens on how to win a beauty contest such as Miss Albania?
I would definitely say that, the most important thing to remember is to always be your self, as long as you have a rational concrete explanation for what you stand for and what you believe in then always stick to that. No matter what it is that you take part in, you should have an identity independent of the contest, it is not the contest that makes you who you are, and it is you that makes the contest. Beauty pageants are not always about the most beautiful looking girl, it’s always about someone who stays grounded, who is intelligent, and who has some depth to her. Those who change them selves in order to fit the supposed “requirement” will not only lose the contest but will also lose themselves. This advice can also be taken in any other aspect of life. It is when you find your self that you find happiness, be smart be sharp and remember wining is not also everything, sometimes people learn more from losing (I won the first pageant, but I didn’t win the other two, but oh well life goes on and you take something greater with you, your self, everything happens for a reason, next time round you work harder and you achieve your goals). I am actually working on a informative booklet for the next winner in 2008, which will include all of the things that they will have to prepare for when they go to Miss Shqiperia and Miss Earth, so it should be fun.

A short version of Twenty Questions! What is your favourite...

Film: Notebook, The Brave One
TV show: Maury “You are not the father” haha
Food: (Buk e long) for all those who have no clue what that is it’s a ghetto thing haha, (I just gave away my growing secrete, too all those who wana grow 6 foot try it. I love Pite, Fli, Nachos, Fried chicken, Pasta basically anything that’s not healthy haha and salads.
Book: The Handmaid’s tale by Margaret Atwood (It’s freaky but has always stuck with me)
Place to be: Albania and Kosovo (wouldn’t change them for the world)
An inspiring Albanian: Skanderbeg, Mother Teresa, Ibrahim Rugova, Skender Sherifi
When you're not wearing your crown, what does Miss Shqiptarja do "in real life"?
Well just like every other person, I have my bad days my good days and my bad days haha just kidding, well I’m usually at uni, if not I’m at home most of the time (I’m more of a quite person) I love spending time with my family, my brothers (Genc and Norik) then there is days when I’m with friends.
5 years from now, where do you want to be in life/career?
Hmm, married with 10 kids….. STOP!!! Just joking- To be absolutely honest I have no idea 5 years seem a long time from now, even though I know its not. But I would like to live each day as it comes rather than plan everything out. So what ever happens I’ll let you know 5 years from now….

Three things that you could not live without?
My family
My family
My family
Yup its true!!!!

What question do you wish we had asked you?
Why is Kosovo not in the Olympics? And I would have answered "Because every Kosovan that can Run, Swim or Jump, is already out of the damn country!" (not funny!)

Anything else you'd like to tell our "readers" and your fans?
Hmm, I wouldn’t refer to them as fans, rather as people who may respect my position, but that doesn’t mean that my position is any higher then theirs. I would like to say that, I’ve enjoyed this experience and I thank all those who read this interview and wish them all good luck with their orientations, there is some good and bad news though, good news is that all those who respect me will get to see more of me because I’m not going no were and those who don’t like me will just have to deal with it(.

Shefdomi.com wishes you the best in life, and in your career.
Thank You, Likewise.