The Ms Exquisitely Conscious pageant returns to Berbice in grand style on Saturday, November 26 at the Berbice High School under the theme ‘Recover, Rekindle, Choose to Live.’
Rhonda Jonas, Director of the pageant and Deputy Principal (acting) at the New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary School in an interview with the Scene explained that the pageant was birthed in 2018. She said it was held in 2018, 2019, and 2020. However, it was not held in 2021 due to the pandemic. She hopes Berbicians will be supportive of its grand return.
According to Rhonda, the pageant deals with the whole well-being of being a woman, mentally, spiritually, and physically. She started the pageant as a platform to empower and educate women, owing to the high number of cases of violence against women. A former Miss Berbice and Miss NAMS herself, she decided to launch Ms Exquisitely Conscious which is now known throughout the township of New Amsterdam as an empowering, clean, fun event.
Participants are women between the ages of 18 – 28 and it does not matter if they are married, divorced, or have children. “Once you have a message and need a platform to empower women you can join the pageant,” she said.
Touching on the theme she has chosen for this year, ‘Recover, Rekindle, Choose to Live’, Rhonda explained that she wanted it to be about recovering from the pandemic after losing persons to the virus and being stuck at home, rekindling with family and friends and choosing to live – to go out there and have a positive outlook on life.
She stressed that the pageant is not just about beauty and fashion but rather empowering young women and boosting their self-esteem and confidence through glamour. The participants will compete in the introduction, creative wear, talent, evening wear, and question and answer segments. The creative segment has been part of the pageant since its conception and Rhonda said it involves contestants using different materials to create outfits. This year, the six contestants originating from Skeldon – Canje – New Amsterdam will use paper to create outfits based on their specific platforms.
There is also a People’s Choice Award in addition to the selected awards that will be given at the end. She said people can go to the pageant’s Facebook page and like and share the picture of their favourite contestant.
For the upcoming pageant, a casting call was held in September after which training immediately commenced. There were some 18 applications and initially, there were plans to host the pageant in October. However, due to the extravagant town week celebrations it was decided that November would be a better fit.
This year, Rhonda added a Mr Conscious pageant. She said, there were initially three contestants shortlisted, but due to circumstances there is just one, Terron Nelson, left and he will be crowned Mr Conscious also on November 26; something supporters can look forward to.
The Ms Exquisitely Conscious pageant has grown tremendously over the years. The first year saw over 200 people in attendance; and there were over 300 in 2020. As such, in anticipation of a larger crowd, Rhonda has moved the location from the NAMS to the BHS.
Meanwhile, planning a pageant is no easy task and Rhonda has been doing so effortlessly over the years. She said that she is very thankful for her trainer, Shanelly Kendall, also a teacher, who has been on board from the start to share her knowledge of the pageant world.
“My hope for the pageant is that we can expand and have more awareness seminars and workshops for women empowerment. I see this pageant going to Georgetown as well,” Rhonda said.
She stressed that sometimes it can be very challenging, however, with help from her trainer and her trying to pre-plan every aspect she gets the job done. “My advice is just to embrace diversity, embrace change and embrace growth and just do what you have to do. If you have a passion for something don’t hold back, use your hobbies to promote different things of your choice. Invest in things that you like… If you like something and have the passion for something just go for it,” the educator stressed.
She then spoke of the importance of sponsorships for such activities and asked that those desirous of getting on board make contact with her on telephone number 660-8850. She also encouraged Berbicians to come out and support such local events. “It’s not just about beauty, it’s information, it’s awareness. Make a date with your colleagues, your partner, your child/ children, and come sit and be empowered,” she invited.
Notably, most of the contestants from previous years have continued charitable work and are professionals in varying fields throughout the region.
Reigning Ms Exquisitely Conscious Denica Henry said that it has been an honour to hold the title. She said the pageant provided a platform that coincides with her brand which is to be authentic and natural despite the challenges life throws. “It really allowed me to grow through what I was going through and like the name suggests the Ms Exquisitely Conscious is all about being aware, self-accountability is of utmost importance,” Denica.
A child counsellor who works along with the Child Protection Agency Officers in Region Six, she stressed that she is pleased to know that there are women just as passionate about issues within society as her and are solution driven. She said that such a platform unifies them, “so I am really thankful to Ms. Rhonda Jonas for really coming up with this.”
Tickets to the pageant cost $1,800 and $2,000 and it is expected to start at 7 pm.
