Aspiring lawyer Shmael King was last Saturday night crowned the new Miss Berbice I’m A Big Deal queen at the Albion Sports Complex Ground, besting four other young women.
The new queen, still in awe of her win, said, “I feel truly honoured, proud and privileged to be the new Miss Berbice Queen, another goal achieved, another one of my dreams turned reality. The hard work and efforts I’ve put in paid off quite well and I came out victorious despite all the hiccups and hurdles. Miss Berbice ‘I’m A Big Deal’ pageant is all about empowering females to build confidence and to become an influencer to others and that’s exactly what has happened. I’ve been able to use my voice and to make aware the issue of depression under the platform ‘Mental Health; Identifying and Dealing with Depression in Teens’….”
She added that through the pageant she was able to initiate a movement dubbed ‘EliQuer’, which comes from eliminate and conquer. Through EliQuer, Shmael’s objective is not only to tackle depression, but to use the opportunity to target other social issues.
“Being a queen gives me more influence on others as well as the confidence to seek the help of persons in position. … I’ll … make this one year of reign impactful on the lives of others especially teens. I’m going to use this opportunity as well as my creativity and talent to leave a legacy,” the 18-year-old University of Guyana student said.
Though the third edition this year saw the least number of contestants vying for the crown, the Miss Berbice I’m A Big Deal Pageant still remains one of the largest, if not the largest, attended pageant in Guyana. The contestants vied with each other in seven categories: Swimsuit, Costume, Evening Gown, Introduction, Intelligence, Talent and Miss Impression.
Usually, only the finalists contest the Intelligence segment, but this year all the contestants were given the opportunity to participate in this round.
In the run up to the pageant, each contestant was assigned a platform and they were also involved in other activities. Getting involved in the Berbice communities has always been a big part of the Miss Berbice agenda and this year was no different. According to organiser Tracy Khan-Drakes, for their community projects, the young women went above and beyond. They held a candlelight vigil, a harmony village (this was put together as part of eradicating racism by first runner-up Sunesha Murray), a rally, a Poverty Reduction Day that allowed persons to donate food and clothing for the less fortunate, donated hampers to families, movie nights (coordinated by Shmael) along with a bonfire where youths engaged in healthy talk and activities. The young woman who best executed her platform through one of these activities was presented with the Miss Impression Award. That contestant was Sheleza Sattaur, who was also voted by her pageant sisters as Miss Congeniality. The other awards were: Miss Intelligence and Miss Best Smile, Shaquilla Sharpe; Best Gown, Sunesha Murray; Best Swimsuit, Miss Catwalk and Miss People’s Choice, Annada Anthon; and Best Costume and Best Talent, Shmael King.
First, second and third runner-up positions went to Sunesha, Shaquilla and Sheleza respectively. The queen along with the crown received a cash prize of $150,000 while the first runner-up got $100,000 and the second, a cash prize of $75,000.
Shmael, along with the first and second runners-up, was also awarded trips to local resorts, among other prizes and trophies.
