Ten queens—one from each region—will vie to take the Miss Indigenous Heritage Pageant crown and title come September 26 at the National Cultural Centre.
At the moment, the contestants are still involved in training, courtesy calls and visiting places of interest. Charitable outreaches also form part of their pre-pageant activities as ‘Service to the Elderly and Young’ is the theme of their indigenous challenge this year, according to a release.
Today The Scene introduces the ten contestants:
Marcelina Welcome
From Region One, comes 18-year-old Warrau Marcelina Welcome, whose ambition is to become a journalist. She thinks that much more attention needs to be paid to the growing suicide epidemic in Guyana, hence she will address suicide prevention as her platform. This Mabaruma beauty’s favourite dish is pepperpot and cassava bread. In her free time Marcelina enjoys helping others, reading and travelling.
Areeka Naomi Ramnaraine
Born 17 years ago in the beautiful lakeside village of Mainstay Whyaka (also known as land of the sweetest pineapples), in Region Two, Areeka Naomi Ramnaraine believes that education is important for the development of indigenous youth and will be addressing this as her platform during the Pageant. Areeka enjoys a refreshing swim in the famous Mainstay Lake, after which she relaxes with a good book and some deer pepperpot. This Arawak beauty, an aspiring teacher, also enjoys modelling and going to church.
Chryssanti Brown
A 20-year-old Lokono, Chryssanti Brown hails from the only titled village in Region Three, Santa Aratak. Chryssanti is an acting teacher and her passion for children has motivated her to become an advocate for child rights and has made it her platform for this pageant. Next to the beautiful outdoors of her village, Chryssanti enjoys a good meal of thin sun dried cassava bread and hot labba pepperpot.
Athina Rebecca Andrews
Born in the Arawak village of Pakuri, otherwise known as St Cuthbert’s in Region Four, 20-year-old Athina Rebecca Andrews believes that the high rate of school dropouts amongst indigenous youth negatively impacts the development of villages. This is what she will address as her platform for this pageant. Athina, an aspiring nurse, enjoys pepperpot with a side serving of Otocuma worms and cassava bread. When not engaged in sporting activities, Athina takes pleasure in preparing meals for her family and interacting with people.
Marisa Clinton
Seventeen-year-old Marisa Clinton, who proudly represents Region Five is a native of Moraikobai, found 93 miles up the Mahaicony River. Marisa, an aspiring Toshao, believes in the importance of good governance in Amerindian communities and will be highlighting this as her platform. A cool glass of bambali served with Tuma bushcow and cassava bread is her favourite meal. When not assisting her grandmother on the farm, she enjoys a good game of volleyball, and a cool dip in the black water of the Mahaicony River.
Sarah Daw
Sarah Daw, 17, is from Orealla, 53 km down the Corentyne River, and is the proud representative of Region Six. This aspiring accountant of Arawak descent on any given day can be found enjoying her favourite dish of roasted Coromeyo and cassava bread. Sarah believes that with tremendous investments in the agricultural sector, the hinterland can become the bread basket of Guyana, improving food security of the nation. She has therefore taken as her platform of ‘the agricultural potential of the hinterland.’ Sarah, an avid reader, enjoys spending time with her family.
Candacy Williams
This 22-year-old Carib beauty from Batavia in the mineral rich Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Region Seven, serves on the village council of Batavia and is currently pursuing her dream of becoming a trained teacher. Candacy Williams enjoys indulging in a finger-licking meal of Fish Tuma with cassava bread and a refreshing drink of sweet fly. Candacy’s passion for the environment has influenced her choice of platform, which is the effects of gold mining on Amerindian villages.
Surujani Williams
An aspiring doctor, this 16-year-old Patamona beauty hails from Region Eight, known for its breathtaking mountain ranges and majestic waterfalls. A native of Paramakatoi, Surujani enjoys singing, travelling and exploring her rich Patamona history. Her enthusiasm for the sharing of traditional practises has led to her becoming an advocate for Patamona culture and she welcomes the opportunity to use her platform to promote preserving the customs and traditions of the Patamonas. A hearty meal of juicy mora worms and cassava bread is what she enjoys.
Sherica Ambrose
Representing Region Nine is 21-year-old Sherica Ambrose from St Ignatius Village. This avid football fan, of both Akawaio and Wapishana descent, holds a Diploma in Accountancy from the University of Guyana. Sherica believes that there is an urgent need for preservation and sharing of skills in the making of indigenous craft, as this skill is fast declining. Hence her platform is the need for cultural preservation in the Rupununi. A good meal of roasted fish and farine is what this southern indigenous beauty enjoys.
Gracelin Ann Campbell
Nineteen-year-old Gracelin Ann Campbell, an aspiring English teacher, from the village of Hururu, in the Upper Berbice River, is the proud representative of Region Ten. This Carib descendant, who is currently pursuing a degree in English at the University of Guyana, enjoys a good meal of labba pepperpot and cassava bread. Gracelin believes that teenage pregnancy is quickly becoming a norm in today’s society and needs to be addressed as it robs young people of opportunities to make a greater contribution to their society. Her platform will address the issue of prevention of teenage pregnancy amongst indigenous youth.
