Nineteen pairs of mothers and daughters will grace the stage of the National Cultural Centre next Saturday May 7, for the 20th edition of the Mother and Daughter Pageant.
The event, which is held annually to commemorate that special day set aside each year in honour of mothers – biological, spiritual, or adopted – will be staged under the theme ‘Image of Love’. And as usual will comprise three categories; Junior, Middle, and Senior. Seven pairs of mothers and daughters will contest the Junior category, six will vie in the Middle category and six in the Senior category.
This week The Scene caught up with some of the intended participants from each category and talked about their reasons for entering and expectations for the pageant.
According to 18-year-old popular local songstress Lisa Punch, her mom Nafieza Daniels is a big fan and it was something that she (Lisa) always wanted to experience. They have entered in the Senior category. Nafieza added that they’re participating to be part of the experience as well as to have fun. When asked what her reaction would be if they were to win, Nafeiza blushingly stated that she’d be thrilled.
Bolivia-born Guyanese Marisoli Flores-Joseph said she entered the pageant because of her friends’ encouragement and because she likes the event. According to her “it’s a good experience for bonding between mom and daughter.” She and 13-year-old Shakira both agree that it will help to strengthen the bond between them, while adding that this is now on the list of some of the many things they do together; designing, modelling (for fun), as well as being members of the Classique Dance Group. They have entered in the Middle category.
Also entering into the Middle category are Nalini McKoy and her 14-year-old daughter Sophia. Nalini said she entered at the encouragement of her daughter, who she didn’t want to disappoint. “And,” she added, “I have always wanted to model, but thought that I had become too mature in age to do so.” Sophia also likes modelling, and they both agree that they’re “in it to win it”. However, they said if they don’t win, “the experience and bond that we’re building is just nice”. Nalini enjoys cooking with her daughter as well as going out together.
According to Yvonne Gilbert she entered this pageant for two reasons, one of them being the desire to do something special with her daughter Nadene, who will be leaving the country soon to study abroad. “I want us to have it as a memory,” the adoring mom stated. The 20-year-old University of Guyana Law Student, agreeing with her mother, added that she had always wanted to do the pageant ever since she started talking. For them, winning is not a necessity as much as demonstrating to the audience the love and bond that they share, which Yvonne says they can then use as an example in their own lives. They have entered in the Senior category.
“It’s not always about winning, but for the enjoyment,” said Maxine Pollard who has entered in the Middle category with 10-year-old Alicia. Maxine decided to enter the pageant with her daughter at the encouragement of a friend of hers, who was constantly pushing her to take part. This will not be the first time public performance of neither mother nor daughter, as the former once modelled as a Christ Church Secondary student and the latter usually takes part in hat shows.
Velma Payne and her 5-year-old daughter Alana, who are in the Junior category, are “just in it for the fun and experience”. Velma says that Alana, who loves to model and dance, is very excited about being a part of the upcoming event, as she is usually very eager to attend rehearsals. She also was convinced by a friend to enter into the pageant.
“From previous shows, I’ve heard about the bond between mothers and daughters which is manifested and strengthened by being part of the pageant.” This is the reason for Lystra Jack entering into the Junior category with her 6-year-old daughter Anayah. “We were gonna enter last year but she [Anayah] wasn’t ready.” This will not be a first time experience on stage for Lystra, as she has modelled before. She says that winning is not important, but it’s just about her daughter having fun.
As this is the first time being on stage for Natasha Shariff, she is a bit nervous but she has 7-year-old Sasha to back her up and keep her standing proud. Natasha decided to enter at the insistence of her daughter and she states that “it’s exciting, yet frightening at the same time”. Sasha has graced the stage before being a dancer from the National School of Dance. They have entered in the Junior category.
At the encouragement of a friend, Nicolette Henry thought that entering the pageant might be good exposure for her daughter Brassette, who is eleven. She states that it’s an opportunity to have fun, “not only on a personal basis but to exercise a bonding, which is a critical component of parenting”. They are in the Middle category.
“I thought that we needed some together time, because I have two more kids and I think this will give us the opportunity to bond a little more,” says Stacy Cheddie, who is part of the Middle category with 14-year-old Savaunah. “I want to show her that mommy is not an uptight individual, but I can laugh and have fun and get my groove on too,” the mother laughingly remarked. It was at Savaunah’s insistence that they entered the pageant, thus they say that winning is not even on their minds.
Also taking part in the Senior category are Denise Harris and her daughter Jasmin; Veronica Madray and her daughter Kimberly; Shondel Thomas and her daughter Kelly; and Pheadra Szala and her daughter Kisha.
