Contestant number one, Excellence Dazzell outshone ten other women on Saturday night to walk away with the 2009 Ms Renais-sance title after good performances in each of the categories but many left with the view that first runner-up, Pamela Atwell was the clear winner based on her response to the final question.
Despite the groans of displeasure from sections of the less than anticipated crowd that flocked the National Cultural Centre, the mother of two accepted her crown from the 2008 queen, Quacy Mc Gowan just before midnight. Like the other contestants she had her supporters and they were ecstatic at her win and flocked to the stage as the other patrons filed out of the building.
After the announcement of her win, the 30-year-old could hardly control her emotions and was in a state of shock.
Educator and owner of the Reading School Deborah King was adjudged second runner-up while Althea Bristol, a registered nurse employed at the George-town Hospital was the third runner-up.
Organizers stuck to their word and began the packed programme at the scheduled 8 pm. The contestants made their first appearance on stage in a ballroom dance outfitted in white flowing gowns with flounces, the colours of the Golden Arrowhead.
This was followed by their official introduction during which they not only spoke about themselves but also a woman who has made significant strides in the country’s education sector. Some of the contestants had difficulty with their pronunciations.
Patrons clapped and cheered as the contestant of their choice came on stage. At this point, in everyone’s mind they all had what it took to be crowned queen.
Then the first leg of the quest, the cultural segment, got underway and while some of the talent
pieces were far from what was expected, those doing dramatic presentations stood out.
Atwell, a probation officer at the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security did a piece entitled “Not tekin another blow” and this was clearly enjoyed by the crowd as well as the panel of judges. She depicted the anguish of a woman who was abused by her partner. Atwell performed her presentation in a hospital setting equipped with a bed and saline drip. She wore a polyester robe (duster) and one of her feet was in cast. She also limped around as through she was experiencing great pain.
Monique Wilson, who incorporated African drumming and wore an African outfit for her dramatic presentation and Althea Bristol’s “Guyana nice”, which focused on the tribulations of a Guyanese in the United States, were entertaining.
Dazzell who was born Osiea (Parris) but changed her name by deed poll earlier this year is known for her melodious voice and while she was good on pageant night many thought the performance could have been better. Her outfit, a green knee-length flounce dress with a splash of colour added to her performance. She was Guyana’s representative at the 1997 Caribbean Song Festival in Barbados where she placed second.
Next, the contestants appeared in their corporate attire, showing how a professional Guyanese woman should dress for work. Not only were most of the outfits well tailored but the shoes to complement them and in at least two cases, the bags, were awesome.
Dazzell in a red suit with matching shoes; Deborah King in a white and brown suit and Bristol in a blue grey and white suit, outshone the rest in this category.
Worthy of mention though were Atwell, Nicola Waldron, Yoland Moore and Claudette Fredericks who displayed unique pieces.
Before the third segment, After Five Cocktail wear, the audience was treated to a dance by the National Dance Company and there was the passing of the torch of sisterhood by the contestants.
During this third segment, not only did most of the contestants choose bright colours but their dresses complemented their figures and they modelled them well.
Moore, Maxene Joseph, who looks nothing close to 50 years of age, Bristol and Fredericks wore outfits that stood out from the rest. Joseph and Fredericks choose contour dresses done by local designers.
Bristol, who was a heavy favourite especially after her talent piece, Dazzell, Atwell and King were chosen by the judges as the final four and while most in the crowd were happy with this line up others wanted to see contestants such as Joseph, who bounced around the stage looking like a stunning teenager, and Moore, in the finals.
The women were then each asked the same final question: ‘If you are crowned queen, you would be expected to choose an issue that would make a positive impact on society. What would you choose and why?’
Dazzell, who was the first up, chose teenagers and their sexuality and linked these to the rampant spread of HIV/AIDS. But she left a lot unsaid and did not really explain her choice of issue.
For Atwell because of her work and her studies this was an easy topic and she chose domestic violence which she described as a plague in society that affects families especially children. She was frank and to the point, but made a few grammatical errors. However, many in the crowd felt that she had nailed it and said the other two contestants had to come with much stronger responses to beat her.
King spoke of abuse which gives rise to violence in society and linked it with how it affects the family, community and country. She was visibly nervous, jumped from thought to thought and in the end gave an unclear answer.
Bristol, after stumbling a bit and having to pause momentarily to gather her thoughts chose unemployment stating that it leads to a lot of issues such as abuse and the increase in street children. However she too failed to drive her thoughts home.
When Atwell was announced as the first runner-up, this was met with an outcry from sections of the crowd.
One patron opined that that decision could not have been right as Atwell answered the question the best.
Atwell was also adjudged the most improved contestation in addition to her best cultural presentation title. Dazzell copped the executive award while Joseph was adjudged Ms Congeniality and the best all round contestant. Bristol is Ms Photogenic.
Negla Brandis and her organizing committee must once again be commended for a splendid show.
(zoisa_f@yahoo.com)