This year’s Easter Weekend promises fun and excitement for all Guyanese — those living in Bartica as well as those planning on travelling there for the holiday weekend. Bartica Regatta 2011 organisers have made sure that they have a packed agenda. The events include a Road Jam and the Miss Bartica Regatta Delegates’ Motorcade, set for Saturday 23; Regatta Racing Day and the Miss Bartica Regatta 2011 Pageant, on Easter Sunday; and an After Pageant Lime, Racing Day Two, followed by the Regatta Washdown, all scheduled for Easter Monday.
The beauties who hope to grab this year’s Miss Bartica Regatta title are:
Candacy Williams – A 17-year-old Cancer, Candacy was born in the riverain community of Batavia, located in the Cuyuni River. The second of five children, she recently completed her education at the Three Miles Secondary School and is currently working towards becoming a nurse. Candacy feels that being a part of this pageant will serve to help her overcome some of the hurdles in her life and provide the perfect opportunity for her to be a positive role model for other young women in her community, which is an area of concern for her. Her platform for the pageant is ‘The importance of positive role models in our society’. Her hobbies include reading a good book, swimming, and interacting with persons of diverse cultures. She draws most of her inspiration from her family. She is sponsored by Rickie and Chamdanie Mining.
Ashley Ghanie – Born and raised in Bartica, 17-year-old Ashley is the fifth of six children for her parents. She secured five passes at the last sitting of CSEC. As bashful as she is beautiful, Ashley hopes her participation in the pageant will aid in her overcoming her shyness. She said the pageant will also give her the opportunity to meet and befriend other young women from whom she may be able to learn new things. Her platform is ‘The importance of technology in our society’, and she feels it’s an important topic since persons seem to be misusing the technology that is ever changing in today’s world. While preparing for a fulltime career in nursing, Ashley also takes time off to enjoy some inspirational music and to surf the internet. Considering herself an average girl, she says she draws her inspiration from her mother, who is her motivator and constant encourager. Ashley is sponsored by Platinum Inn Hotel, Restaurant and Bar.
Ava Hicks – This 19-year-old beauty has recently discovered her love for modelling. This is her first pageant experience, but Ava says it won’t be her last, as the experience gained thus far has fuelled her passion for modelling. Born under the Leo star, Ava says that being involved in this pageant has certainly empowered her. An aspiring teacher, Ava is currently pursuing her goal at the Cyril Potter College of Education. Being the eldest of four children she says is a difficult task, as her siblings constantly look to her as an example. Her platform ‘Positively using your talent to enhance your future’ was chosen as a result of her having come from a very talented family.
Ava draws motivation from her best friend Mokesh Khan, who is always encouraging in more ways than one. When not studying at college, the Leo beauty enjoys dancing and singing. Ava is sponsored by Atkinson Mining.
Maria Rhius – Aspiring to one day become an economist, 19-year-old Maria said she entered the pageant to have a little fun before realizing her dream. Born and raised in a riverain community called Karrau, Maria says violence against women is very rampant there, so she will use the pageant as a means of becoming a voice for these women. Hence her platform: ‘The effects of violence against women’. During her free time, Maria enjoys dancing, listening to music and researching any topic that fascinates her. She is wearing the sash of Bell Speed Boat Services.
Suzette Tappin – For 17-year-old Suzette, pageantry is nothing new, as she was once crowned Miss Itaballi. She says she has entered this pageant to gain more experience, as she loves pageantry and modelling. The aspiring nurse’s platform for the pageant is ‘Educating youths on the effects of unsafe sex’, since it is in her opinion that there is not much awareness about the facts on unsafe sex in rural communities. Her hobbies include singing, reading, dancing, and meeting new people. Suzette is sponsored by B&M Mining.
Nikita La Rose – For 23-year-old Nikita, being a part of the Miss Bartica Regatta Pageant is one of her biggest challenges, but she intends to make the best of it. Born under the star of Cancer, Nikita says that despite her seeming to be an average young lady she is a force to reckon with, as she considers herself to be very a competitive individual. Feeling the need to speak out against abortion her platform reads ‘Defeating abortion’. Nikita enjoys a good game of football or basketball in her spare time. Currently a volunteer teacher, she is working towards becoming a professional volunteer. Her advice to young people is to stay in school since education is the key to success.
Nikita is sponsored by Alki Investment and Trading Company.
Amy Roberts – Though a born Lindener, 20-year-old Amy has over the recent years made Bartica her second home. For her, entering this pageant gives her the opportunity to showcase her three most prominent qualities; beauty, intelligence, and grace. This aspiring paediatrician completed her secondary education with passes in five subjects at the Mackenzie High School, and is currently giving back to young people as a volunteer teacher. Her platform is ‘The effects of underemployment’. In her spare time Amy enjoys outdoor activities, which include hiking through the jungle and swimming. She also enjoys playing a good game of pools. The Bartica Regatta Pageant is a stepping stone to her for bigger projects to come, as back in 2009, Amy took part in the Miss Linden Town Week Pageant. Solid Gold Trading is her sponsor.
Donna Boyal – For 19-year-old Donna, a Bartician, this pageant will be the perfect opportunity for her to raise awareness of ‘The impact of gold and diamond mining in Bartica’, since Bartica is often called the gateway to the interior. If crowned the queen, she says she will embark on a campaign to sensitize miners about the negative effects of mining. Being once a competitor in the Miss Amerindian Heritage Pageant, this aspiring nurse is confident that her experience in pageantry will give her an advantage over the other delegates. A teacher for the time being, in her spare time Donna enjoys reading, swimming, and playing a game of cricket with family or friends. Her encouragement to young people is to take their education seriously and make the best of every opportunity that presents itself. She is sponsored by the Neighbourhood Pharmacy.
Andrea De Freitas – Twenty-one-year-old Andrea’s decision to enter the Miss Bartica Regatta Pageant stems from the need for her to further develop her public speaking skills. Andrea hopes to one day become a trained teacher, as she feels her love for children will only be fulfilled once she’s given a chance to contribute to their upbringing. Andrea’s platform seeks to shed light on ‘The realistic consequences of human trafficking’, and she says that, once crowned the queen, she will use her reign to educate young women about the consequences of human trafficking. The Pisces beauty divulged that given the fact that the Bartica community is the gateway to the major mining location; the issue of human trafficking is very prevalent and needs to be directly addressed. Her hobbies include dancing, singing, and meeting new people. Nizam Kassim & Sons General Store is her sponsor.
