Sexy, sassy, and beautiful is how one can describe the 13 mature women competing in this year’s Ms Guyana Renaissance pageant.
Dressed in elegant black dresses complemented with orange accessories, the women showed off their stuff in front of family, friends and sponsors during the pageant’s official launch and sashing ceremony held last Sunday at the King’s Plaza Hotel.
The modelling had those in the audience in laughter but smiles prevailed on the faces of all the contestants and even though a few showed signs of nervousness during their opening speeches, the shouts and applause pushed them on.
The contestants have a wide range of qualifications with several being multi-talented.
There is a teacher, a journalist, a housewife, a dancer, a caterer just to name a few.
Donna Austin, Andrea Bollers, Renita Crandon-Duncan, Carol Fraser-Lindo, Claudette Fredericks, Quacy Mc Gowan, Marcia Harris, Patricia Helwig, Gracelin James, Jacqueline King, Esther Moore, Karen Pratt and Rita Thomas have a tough road ahead as they strive to become the pageant’s fourth queen. From now until November 1, these women will be exercising, learning their dance routines, rehearsing and generally preparing for that big day.
The contestants made their way onto the hotel’s roof garden just after 6 pm and as they showed off what they had when it comes to modelling, the audience clapped in appreciation.
The women spoke of their family life, talents and education and two of them stood out – 49-year-old Patricia Helwig, the eldest contestant and 30-year-old teacher Quacy Mc Gowan who has no children.
Helwig who is a mother, a grandmother, a caterer, and an entrepreneur among other things wore a body-hugging dress, which stopped a few inches above the knee, she showed off her young side to the audience.
Mc Gowan is the youngest contestant and has no children. Very outspoken and bearing a bright smile all night, she was well received by the audience as were all of the other contestants.
During the well organised reception, two of last year’s contestants, graced the stage with their talents. Leslie Quallis, one of the finalists, performed a piece on what women go through when they go to the restroom alone, while Dawn Edwards serenaded the audience with a passionate song.
Members of the Artistes in Direct Support performed a skit and there was a well-choreographed piece from the National School of Dance.
The Ministry of Tourism has always shown support for the pageant and Sunday night was no different.
Prior to the sashing of the contestants, the ministry’s permanent secretary Willet Hamilton stressed that all the women are winners and this was in the attitude they portrayed to the audience. He said that his ministry has supported the pageant and will continue to do so. Hamilton stressed though that he would like to see the pageant expand so that Guyana can gain some recognition, expressing the desire for it to be expanded to the Caribbean.
Tourism Minister, Manniram Prashad, who arrived late owing to other commitments, was given a plaque by the pageant’s committee in recognition of his ministry’s support.
The contestants, who said they were excited and anxious, were given certificates of appreciation for their decision to enter the pageant.
Ms Renaissance tends to showcase the creativity, cultural awareness and accomplishments of the mature Guyanese woman. It caters for women 28 years and older.
Evette Wilson, the 2003 queen, contestants’ liaison, 2004 queen, Audrey Barkie and 2007 queen Simone Beckles graced Sunday night’s reception, with their presence.
Meanwhile, the pageant’s organizers said they are committed to the preservation and promotion of Guyana’s rich diverse culture through the staging of the pageant which is held under the theme `Visions of our Culture’.
“It is our belief that mature, intellectually stimulating, well-rounded Guyanese women can achieve endless possibilities as they continue to foster harmony, attitudes, feelings of patriotism and togetherness, instill confidence, be effective role models while providing opportunities for sharing and learning about various aspects of Guyana’s history”, the organizers said.
