Miss Jamzone Guyana 2015, 24-year-old model and university student Cardella Hamilton believes first impressions and confidence are factors are key to success in pageantry.
She told The Scene in an interview that this was something she took from the Jamzone pageant and it will remain with her the rest of her life as its applicable not just to that forum but any aspect of life.
Cardella said she believed she did exceptionally well at the July 5 pageant not only because of the judges’ scores but because of everything she took to the stage and the fact that she had given it her all.
Cardella, who was confident from the beginning, said her self-assurance was boosted by her many friends and family who supported her through it all. “I think they were more excited than I was,” she said.
“Almost all of the girls had pageant experience so we all knew exactly what we had to do to win the crown. The training was not hectic since with our experience we hadn’t a lot to do when it came to our pageant walk, hand placement, etc,” she said. They put more emphasis on preparing mentally for the other aspects of the pageant such as the personality interviews and final questions. However, in the last few days before the pageant, rehearsals, television appearances and runway shows made it hectic and tiring.
Cardella was a contestant for Miss Universe Pageant 2014 where she won the Miss Congeniality title, but even with that feather in her cap, she said the competition was stiff since all of the contestants had what it took to win the Miss Jamzone title.
“Once I see an opportunity to represent my country I grab it and I felt that the Miss Jamzone Guyana Pageant was the perfect gateway for me to do such,” she said.
The first segment saw the contestants modelling their country dresses. “We had to depict an aspect of Guyana… My dress depicted the beautiful ‘garden city’, Georgetown. The second category was the fantasy swimsuit. My fantasy swimwear was made out of LED lights; it was called ‘The Illuminist’ which represented my playful personality,” she said. The third segment was the general swimsuit, where the judges decided who had a more toned body; Cardella seized the ‘The Miss Body Beautiful Prize’.
In the evening gown segment, a more graceful and elegant side of the contestants was displayed. Cardella wore a stunning turquoise, sequined gown designed by Olympia Small-Sonaram. Her hair was done by Jessica from Jessica does my hair salon and her flawless look by make-up artist, Renee Chester from Bromeliad.rnc.
As it is a tourism pageant, emphasis was placed on our tourism destinations in Guyana and Cardella’s ideal tourism destination was Baganara Island Resort.
Her most memorable moment to date was being crowned Miss Jamzone Guyana 2015. “I was speechless that night,” she said.
She revealed that she has been trying to keep herself fit since the campaign that the then health ministry had launched in 2011/2012. The idea of exercising at least 30 minutes a day and drinking lots of water has stuck with her and although once in a while she might skip the gym or not have enough water, she tries to abide by it and encourages everyone else to do so.
She is in the process of executing some plans of her own and also plans to work along with the Ministry of Public Health to do some work with our youths.
Cardella also known as ‘Lily’ was born at the Fort Wellington Hospital in Berbice but has spent most of her life as a city girl having grown up in Kingston, Georgetown. She is currently in her last year at the University of Guyana pursuing a degree in Public Management.
When she is not studying, she enjoys reading, watching a good game of cricket and swimming. Or you may just find her eating her favourite crab curry.
She hopes to someday meet a huge icon of hers, artiste Rihanna. “Growing up Rihanna was one of the artistes I related to through her music and style so the love and appreciation I had for her when she first came out stuck with me throughout the years. Meeting her would definitely be a dream come true,” she said.
A queen in every sense, Cardella remains optimistic and confident that she will be successful at the Miss Jamzone International 2015 come August 15.
Her prize for winning the Guyana leg was US$1000 while first runner-up Radiante Frank won US$500. They both received trips for two to the Arrow Point Nature Resort among other prizes.
The other contestants were Eksi Edwards, Treasure James, Carlene Waithe and Onica Rose.
Cardella also won the People’s Choice Award while Radiante won the Best Smile, Best Evening Gown and Best Country Dress prizes.
