By Deneita Fredericks
After a 10-year absence, the Bartica Miss Emancipation Pageant took centre stage on Monday at the Bartica Community Centre Ground and Tytheon Jones, an aspiring psychologist, walked away with the crown.
The pageant formed part of Bartica’s week of Emancipation activities, which was held under the theme “Embracing the motherland, with the Embodiment of the African Culture”.
The event, intended to honour the legacy of strong, trailblazing women throughout history, was divided into three segments. These were a talent segment, a casual wear segment, and the highly anticipated evening gown segment.
In an effort to highlight the strides modern women continue to make. Each delegate represented a unique story, possessing an unwavering commitment to making a difference in their communities.
The first contestant to grace the stage was Ilantlie Prowell, a human rights advocate who aims to empower underprivileged women in developing nations through education and skills training. Her presence and passion set the tone for the evening, inspiring the audience and fellow delegates alike.
Next up was Deneka Marshall, an outspoken young woman who championed sustainable practices and women’s involvement in climate change solutions. Her eloquence and knowledge about ecological matters resonated deeply with the crowd.
Jadeia Washington took to the stage and portrayed a high level of confidence as she introduced herself as a vibrant individual to the crowd.
Next on stage was Martina Richardson, a 16-year-old enthusiast, who despite being nervous showcased her impressive skills that depicted the struggles and triumphs of women throughout history.
As the evening progressed, the audience was amazed by the performance of Jones, a 17-year-old athlete, who recently sat 10 subjects at this year’s CXC examinations. Her unwavering strength and determination in her poise and talent pieces had the crowd amazed.
Following her was Takeisa Carter in her beautiful African print outfit while gracing the stage with a royal entrance attracting screams and shouts from persons in the audience.
Last but not least, Waynesia Pollydore, shared her experiences of reporting from conflict zones and fighting for the truth to be heard. Her commitment to telling the tales of endurance in the African diaspora and giving a voice to the voiceless earned her tremendous respect from the audience.
The judges for the night were: Deneita Prowell, Kayshell Jennings, Savannery Wyatt, Hulbert Knights, and Delicia Prowell. As the judges tallied their scores, it became evident that choosing a winner would be no easy task. Each delegate was a symbol of women’s empowerment, proving that the essence of the Miss. Emancipation Pageant transcended mere beauty and poise.
After the evening segment ended, three finalists advanced to the question-and-answer segment. They were Jones, Caesar and Pollydore.
However, after being asked the final question, “If our ancestors visited us, what advice would they give us?”; Jones walked away with the crown as queen and earned herself a cash prize of $200,000, and a trip, among other consolation prizes.
In an interview with Stabroek News, Jones said that she is proud of her achievement and was very confident that she would win because she had put in the work.
She described her challenges to be managing her time between football and pageant practice since she is currently an athlete in training.
“My biggest challenge was moving between football practice and pageant practice; however, I knew what I was about and I made it work.”
Carter and Pollydore secured first and second runners up respectively and also won monetary prizes, trips, and gift vouchers. Their achievements combined with the drive to encourage other women to pursue their dreams, captured the hearts of both the judges and the audience.
Apart from the top prizes, other prizes were given for various segments in the pageant. Jones, won the trophy for the best casual wear, while Carter won the trophy for the best evening wear.
When it came to the best smile, Jones walked away with the trophy and Marshall won the trophy for having the best presence on social media.
The Bartica Miss Emancipation Pageant proved to be more than just a competition; it was a celebration of the ongoing struggle for gender equality and a reminder of the indomitable spirit of women worldwide. The event concluded on a high note, with delegates embracing each other and standing united as advocates for change.
