Come November 1, 13 mature, professional women will converge on the National Cultural Centre stage to compete in the fourth Ms Renaissance pageant. They will all partake in three segments of competition and at the end of the four-hour show, one will take over the title from reigning queen, Simone Beckles.
This pageant is one that caters specifically for women 27 years and over who have been living successful lives, with careers and in some instances a family.
Recentl
y The Scene took the opportunity to sit and chat with some of the contestants to get their take on the ‘Renaissance experience’ so far among other things.
Jacqueline
King
A 39-year-old mother of two teenagers, Jacqueline King, is a supervisor within the Mayor and City Council Procurement Unit. This pageant is her first and she is quite excited. She explained that she was at the University of Guyana where she is pursuing a diploma in public management, “minding my own business”, when a friend told her about the pageant and after getting a detailed explanation she decided to enter. She told The Scene that she had not for one minute so far regretted her decision and was finding the training very impressive. According to Jacqueline, this pageant is turning out to be quite a pleasurable experience for her that has given her lots of knowledge about a variety of issues. “It is not just about being beautiful and modelling. It’s about intelligence as well,” she said with a bright smile. For Jacqueline, her children aged 14 and 17, her family and her friends have been very supportive of her quest for the Ms Renaissance crown. She said her daughter is most excited. On pageant night, Jacqueline will perform a monologue during the cultural segment.
Andrea Bollers
A 35-year-old mother of two, Ser-geant Andrea Bollers, a police officer, was introduced to the pageant coordinator Negla Brandis and then things just happened. This year she was selected to be a part of the pageant, which is her first and she is having the time of her life. During a sit-down interview, she revealed that she is a clarinetist attach-ed to the musical department of the Guyana Police Force. A lover of books and music, Andrea is the mother of a ten-year-old boy and a three-year-old girl. “I am very happy and I don’t regret this at all…My daughter looks at me and mimics everything I do.” So far, she said, she is enjoying every aspect of the pageant and knows she has the qualities to become the next queen. She will, obviously, play the clarinet on pageant night.
Carol Lindie
This 38-year-old mother of a 14-year-old girl has participated in a series of pageants. Carol Lindie, a fashion designer and artist for over 23 years, brings a wealth of experience to the Ms Renaissance pageant. During her younger years she was crowned Miss New Amsterdam, Ms Region Six, Miss Lions and was the second runner-up in the Miss Diwali pageant in 1991. Originally, from the ancient county of Berbice, Carol was encouraged to take part in the pageant and she strongly believes that she possesses the qualities of the queen and thus she decided to enter. She said that her daughter is very proud of her for this bold step she has taken and her husband is behind her 100% in her quest for the crown. So far, she is enjoying the numerous educational lectures and seminars. Her talent piece will be a dance.
Marcia Harris
A 34-year-old mother of three, this year Marcia Harris will attempt to become the second consecutive Ms Renaissance queen from the VAT Division of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), following the reigning queen, Simone Beckles in this regard.
Marcia is the assistant public communications officer with specialized responsibility for VAT. She said that she decided to enter the pageant because there is no swimsuit segment and it provides a unique platform for cultural expression. She said that in this pageant one gets an opportunity to do lots of cultural things, something that is lacking in other pageants. So far, Marcia likes the exercise and dance sequences because she likes the physical effects. ‘I am enjoying the pageant and I certainly have what it takes to be queen,” she told The Scene adding that her family has so far been very supportive of her.
Esther Moore
Ms Renaissance is a new experience for this 35-year-old mother of three.
Esther Moore is a librarian attached to the University of Guyana’s library at Turkeyen. She said she never entered the world of pageantry because she did not have the right vital statistics and the idea never interested her. She said that if she wanted she could have made herself into pageant material but accounts of various horror stories kept her from doing so. It was a former contestant of this pageant who encouraged her to enter. According to Esther, the organizers have promised a wonderful and unique experience and so far, they have kept their word. She is enjoying the dance and exercise routines but overall the experience has been good. “I don’t regret it. I will do it again if I am permitted,” she said adding that her children are quite fussy and excited about the pageant. Her talent piece will be a vocal rendition.
Renita Crandon
For this 32-year-old mother of two and senior lecturer at the Government Technical Institute (GTI) Department of Business, this first-time pageant experience will be one to cherish forever. It was a friend and former contestant who persuaded her to participate. According to Renita, she has reached that stage in her life where she wants to express her pride in womanhood. She said her four-year-old daughter is pretending that she is a part of the pageant. She likes the dance rehearsals because it “brings back my youth. Back then I use to be a dancer”. Renita, who will perform a monologue on November 1 said she is confident that she can be crowned Ms Renaissance 2008. “I already feel like a queen because of all I have accomplished so far.”
Donna Austin
Donna Austin has taken a bold step from clinical assistant/home maker to pageant contestant. This 38-year-old Berbician, who is also a mother of three boys, said that since she was a teen she always wanted to enter a pageant to showcase herself and her country. She told The Scene that she likes the various lectures for example on breast cancer. She made an appeal to women of her age to enter this sort of pageant since it caters especially for them and it offers many benefits. She said it is during this forum that women have a chance to showcase themselves in a more comfortable environment. She will perform a dramatic piece on pageant night.
Quacy Mc Gowan
Quacy McGowan said her parents probably fell in love with the name and during her secondary school life she was subjected to many taunts. An educator at Mae’s Schools, the 31-year-old is one of three contestants without any children. According to her, she always liked modelling but she was always too short and overweight thus she was discouraged and never entered. However this all changed when her dance teacher at the National School of Dance Vivian Daniel told her about the pageant. She entered and has not regretted it. So far, Quacy is enjoying the public-speaking sessions. “I am enjoying the pageant. It is excellent… I am anxious for pageant night. I am confident like the other women. Her talent piece will be a vocal rendition.
Patricia Helwig
At 49, mother and grandmother Patricia Helwig has quite a few professional accomplishments to her name. She is a sociologist, an entrepreneur, a teacher and a caterer. However, this is her first pageant. Patricia said she was encouraged by a friend and she was not given a chance to say she didn’t want to enter.
“I am enjoying it to the fullest. I am enjoying the lectures and the research we have been given to do.” She is confident that she has what it takes to be queen adding, ‘I just have the package.” With four children, four grandchildren and other relatives and friends backing her, the bubbly Patricia said she cannot wait for November 1 to hit the stage. She will perform an African dance.