Shauna Ramdyhan, a 25-year-old stunner, who is a Foreign Service Officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is Las Vegas bound having won the Miss Guyana Universe 2015 pageant held last Sunday evening at the Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel.
The show started shortly after 8 pm with an opening dance by the Classique Dance Company. Next, the nine contestants strutted onto the stage in black flared skirts with red and gold bedazzled waistbands and gold tops boldly introducing themselves.
Once they left the stage they were replaced by models in Sonia Noel’s exquisite designs.
Before long the contestants were back for the swimsuit competition, which saw them displaying pink two-piece items that left many of the guys swooning.
In the Evening Gown competition, Shauna illuminated the runway in a strikingly fiery, glittering beaded scarlet gown with a black vine-like design running from the bust, down to the thighs. Following her was Zena Bland in a bright green and silver lace gown with golden crystals around the neckline and ruffles that started just above the knee sweeping the ground as she walked.
The shimmering black lace gown worn by Najuma Nelson brought oooh’s and the ahhh’s from the audience.
Babita Seelall wore a scarlet gown sequined on the sides, top and bottom.
The gown worn by Malika Russell was a sparkling, all black and blue with a jewelled seemingly plunging neckline, which was in fact a skin-tone panel. There was another such panel at mid-thigh, creating the illusion that the gown was split in two. It ended with rows of ruffles.
Tricia Quail glided beautifully down the runway in a blue gown highlighted by a pattern of black sequins, a thigh-high front slit and a diaphanous trail skirt.
Diana Ahmad, one of the favourites, wore a golden gown with golden swirls all over looking like a crown itself.
Kiswana Jefford wore a blazing hot red lace gown, with interesting see-through sections.
Meleisa Defrietas kept it simple with a flowing white and silver gown.
The contestants all brought it, however, the final segment accommodated only four.
Shauna Ramdyhan, Zena Bland, Tricia Quail and Diana Ahmad prepared their nerves for the final question, while they were serenaded by Calvin Burnett singing “Just the Way You Are.”
Their responses to something they would save from a house fire and why were varied. Shauna said she would save pictures; Zena, her little brother; Tricia her grandma’s rosary and Diana her family album.
While they awaited the announcement of the winner, the audience cheered their favourites; Diana seemed to have more of the fans rooting for her as they waved posters around. But it was Shauna’s answer that did it and when the name of the first runner-up was called it took her a while before she realized she was Miss Guyana Universe 2015.
Zena was third runner-up while Tricia and Diana were the second and first runners-up respectively. Najuma captivated the judges with her smile earning her the Best Smile Award while Miss Congeniality went to Malika and Shauna copped the Body Beautiful Award.
Shauna will represent Guyana on December 20 at the 64th Miss Universe Pageant, in Las Vegas Nevada.
