However, while height may be to the disadvantage of some come September 07, their personality, beauty, accomplishments and skills may very well make up to score them some points.

Of course, we’re talking about the delegates for this year’s Miss Guyana World Pageant and this year’s contestants are definitely an improvement on last year’s.

The delegates were introduced to the media and potential sponsors Saturday evening at a cocktail/reception at Le Meridien Pegasus and some, naturally, stood out.

One of the delegates who immediately jumps out at you is Ryiela Gaffar. She is very beautiful, pleasant and one of the tallest of the group. She is originally from Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara (W.C.D) and attended the Stewartville Secondary School. She works at the Region Three Education Department.

Marceline Basdeo might also make the headlines and it’s not just because she did so recently when she was missing in a highly publicised kidnapping case. Marceline is beautiful, knows Martial Arts and she can Latin and ballroom dance. Plus, she holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. She is from Leonora, W.C.D.

Maliza Walton writes headline news reports, but now she has to prove that she can be “the headline”. Her Swahili name was given to her by parents who lived in Sub-Saharan Africa. She is at the University of Guyana studying Communications. Maliza has done video footage and reported and anchored for Prime News. She was born in Berbice, but grew up in Linden.

Samantha Crandon we understand is the “hotty” of the group and might we add the “remedy” girl. She is a registered nurse at the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she was born. She is beautiful and specialises in Latin, salsa, interpretive and ballroom dancing as a member of the Crystallite Dance Group. Samantha is from Happy Acres, East Coast Demerara.

Marita Persaud is also an exceptional delegate. To make up for height, however, this Pomeroon girl might have to haul all of her other assets together. Her love for children blossomed as a teacher and she says that job also taught her patience. She wanted to learn more and pursued a diploma course in commerce at the Government Technical Institute. She is now employed with the NAFICO insurance company.

Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo has a delegate in this year’s pageant. Odessa Phillips wants to become a successful lawyer as she is fond of Jessica Fletcher of ‘Murder She Wrote’ fame, and Raymond Burr, better known as Perry Mason. She is currently pursuing a degree in law.

Melesa Archer was always taught by her parents to be focused and honest, and to read books. Those principles are what are responsible for her reaching the heights she has being a third year International Relations student at the University of Guyana. She also wants to pursue law. Melesa is from Georgetown.

Ali Williams was named after her paternal Muslim grandfather. She has just completed a diploma in Public Communications. Ali currently resides at Bachelor’s Adventure, East Coast Demerara. She enjoys travelling to the different sugar estates as part of her job as a Trainee Communications Officer of GUYSUCO.

When she was born in Commewijne, Suriname, Sophia Baptiste was named after actress Sophia Loren. She came to Guyana when she was four and regrets that she has forgotten the Dutch language. Sophia is pursuing a diploma in Public Management at the University of Guyana.

Danielle McIntyre is from Linden and is of African, Indian, Amerindian and Portuguese descent. After secondary school, she studied information technology at the Linden Computer College and later taught the very subject there. After three years of study, she landed a job with the Stabroek News. She wants to become an A plus PC technician or web page designer.

You would remember Cephauna Glasglow, also of Linden, from the recent Miss Guyana Universe Pageant. She feels pageantry helps young women to be confident, more focused and disciplined, thus her participation in another this year. Cephana is a qualified teacher.