Tomorrow night, nine beauties will complete their ‘Quest’ when they take to the stage in the final of the Miss Guyana Universe competition at the Princess Ramada Hotel at Providence.
Only one can be crowned Miss Guyana Universe and as at today, training has been completed and the contestants have also finished a preliminary leg of the competition – the live question and answer or ‘intelligence’ segment, which was aired on Thursday night on NCN Channel 11. All that would be left now is their personal grooming and possibly final rehearsals. The Scene offers readers a last look at the contestants and wishes them well.
Shauna Ramdyhan
Shauna Ramdyhan, 25, is a Foreign Service Officer ll at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a fluent speaker of Chinese Mandarin which she learnt while studying in Shanghai China. Shauna, who now lives in Georgetown, grew up between Crane and Mahaicony on the West and East Coast respectively and says she is adventurous. She also enjoys listening to music, reading, watching cartoons, playing Sudoku and spending time with loved ones. The holder of a BSc in Economics, Shauna has chosen ‘Positive Parenting’ as her platform. She is sponsored by Modern Agri.
Babita Devi Seelall
Babita Devi Seelall, 18, was born in Canje, Berbice educated in St Kitts and Nevis. She likes to sing and dance to Indian music, fashion, makeup and modelling. In fact, she is so passionate about modelling that she plans to one day establish her own model agency. Babita’s personal motto ‘never give up, be self-motivated, be inspired.’ She has chosen as her platform ‘Cyber Bullying’. Babita is sponsored by Neetu and Amrita Balgit.
Diana Ahmad
Diana Ahmad, 23, is a banker by profession, having worked at Demerara Bank for six years.
Diana, who hails from Triumph, East Coast Demerara, describes herself as a very spontaneous, creative fun loving woman who believes in hard work and determination to achieve her goals. To quote her she is “always ready to rock.” Diana has completed Diplomas in Business Management and Project Management and is now a final-year marketing student. Her platform is ‘Hunger and Homelessness in Guyana.’ She lives by the motto: ‘As a modern day woman, always remember to keep your head, heels and standards high.’ Her hobbies are reading, watching movies, trying makeup and volunteering.
Tricia Quail
Tricia Quail, 18, grew up in Santa Rosa, Moruka, Region One. A nature lover and Guyana Red Cross Society volunteer, Tricia loves children. She has taught Sunday School and worked as a peer educator and is an aspiring paediatrician. Tricia says she loves to dream big and her hobbies are modelling, swimming, reading, writing and spending time with loved ones. She has chosen as her platform ‘A Safe Haven for Orphans.’
Malika Russell
Malika Russell, 18, is an aspiring plant scientist. She was born at Mackenzie, but grew up in Kwakwani. Malika is pursuing a Diploma at the Guyana School of Agriculture and envisions herself one day as the Minister of Agriculture as she believes that the sky is the limit. Her hobbies are swimming, reading, dramatizing and writing stories. Malika’s platform is ‘Agricultural Development in Rural Areas in Guyana,’ as she believes the land is our greatest gift and we should preserve and utilise it in the most sustainable way.
Najuma Nelson
Najuma Nelson, 24, is a chemist at Demerara Distillers Ltd. She was born in Watooka, Linden and says she has always been fascinated with science and is fiercely protective of the environment. An avid reader and a passionate football fan, Najuma also enjoys reading horror/thriller books, watching sports and playing lawn tennis results. She says, “It is said that a mind that is stretched by new experiences will never go back to old dimensions.” She adds, “My being here is my saying, ‘here’s to new experiences!’” Najuma is sponsored by the Lions Club and has ‘Health and Wellness’ as her platform.
Kiswana Jefford
Kiswana Jefford, 25, is a dancer and an aspiring lawyer. Currently pursuing a Degree in International Relations at the University of Guyana, she plans to take up studies in law next. Kiswana is employed at the law firm of Hughes, Fields and Stoby as an Intellectual Property Administrative Assistant. She describes herself as a simple girl in pursuit of an extraordinary life, who likes having fun, enjoys nature and the outdoors. A Georgetown girl who enjoys modelling, dancing and reading, Kiswana’s platform is ‘Women Empowerment with an emphasis on Education.’ Her favourite quote is: “Change, will not come if we wait for it, we are the change we seek, we are the ones we’ve been waiting for.”
Meleisa De Freitas
Meleisa De Freitas, 19, works in marketing at the National Television Network and is currently pursuing a Degree in Business Management. She was born in Linden but grew up in Region Seven in an area called Falls Top and currently resides at Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara.
Meleisa’s platform is ‘Women’s Rights in Today’s Society’ and she enjoys swimming, cooking and reading. She believes reading is the gateway to knowledge. Meleisa hopes to one day give back to society by establishing a home for less fortunate children. She is sponsored by Ajay’s Taxi Service.
Zena Althea Bland
Zena Althea Bland, 24, is a journalism student at Middlesex University in London. Born in the UK to Guyanese parents, she grew up at Melanie Damishana on the East Coast Demerara and lived there for twelve years. Zena loves giving back to the community and therefore helps to feed and teach less fortunate children at the Ruimveldt Children’s Aid Centre in her spare time. She would like to continue to positively impact children because they are the future. Zena’s platform is ‘Sexual Abuse’ and her hobbies are, writing and reciting poetry, dancing, roller-skating and swimming.
