Twelve stunners presented for Miss Guyana/World pageant
Stabroek News
July 16, 2002
The Victoria Lounge at Le Meridien Pegasus was not large enough to accommodate everyone invited for a first look at this year's Miss Guyana/World delegates, but the sight of the beauties outfitted in knee-length cowl neckline dresses would have more than compensated for the lack of space.
The delegates were scheduled to appear at 8:00 pm but arrived a few minutes to nine in their stunning dresses completed with black high-heeled sandals shoes and black scarves slung around their necks.
The Miss Guyana/World Organisation, which is headed by UK-based Ken Chung, had stated that the 12 were the best of those who applied to compete, and while some might say that Guyana has more beautiful girls it could not be denied that they all had the look of queens. The contestants were presented to a small gathering comprising prospective sponsors, relatives and friends and media representatives.
The girls were introduced, after which they were tasked with pinning roses on all the females present before mingling and chatting with potential sponsors. Among the companies represented at the function were, Mings Products, Laparkan Group of Companies, Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company (GT&T), CLICO, Acme Photo Studio and a number of advertising agencies.
Contestant number one is, 20-year-old Bebe Ryiela who resides at Zeeburg, West Coast Demerara (WCD). The 5'9" beauty said that she had always been encouraged to become a model. The Libra born is employed as a clerk at the Department of Education in Region Three and said she was looking forward to improving her academic qualifications by attending the University of Guyana (UG).
Nineteen-year-old, Odessa Philipps who resides at Vergenoegen, WCD, said she attended Stewartville Secon-dary School and obtained nine subjects at CXC. This beauty, who appears to be an ardent Christian, is pursing a degree in law at UG.
Melesa Archer is also 20 years old and she is a resident of East Ruimveldt and she says her motto is "Make Success Your Story."
She loved dancing but due to her studies her mother terminated her dancing contract. She is also at UG where she is a third-year student in International Relations.
Standing at 5' 9", Ali Williams, 20, immediately draws attention with her unusual name but she said she was named in memory of her grandfather who was a Muslim. She lives at Bachelor's Adventure, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and she said after attending the Bygeval Secondary School she worked briefly with the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GUYSUCO) as a laboratory technician.
She has completed a two-year diploma in public communications and is currently employed in the GUYSUCO Communications Unit as a trainee communications officer. Her life's motto is "Nothing comes without prayers and hard work."
Twenty-year-old Samantha Crandon is employed as a nurse in the High Dependency Unit at the Georgetown Public Hospital. This beauty enjoys going to the gym, jogging, volleyball, communicating, socialising and dancing.
Marceline Basdeo, 23, is a graduate from UG with a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree and is at present a Level 2 ACCA student.
Basdeo, who is a Christian, says that she is a Sunday school teacher and youth president at church. She attends classes in martial arts, swimming, aerobics and ballroom dancing.
Twenty-three-year-old Marita Persaud describes herself as a "vivacious" Gemini born who grew up in Pomeroon with cows and chickens.
She was a teacher before pursuing a diploma course in commerce at the Government Technical Institute after which she returned to the Pomeroon but later returned to the capital city because of employment opportunities. She is employed at North American Fire and General Insurance Co.Ltd (NAFICO) and hopes to enter UG next year.
Sophia Baptiste, 18, said she was named after the famous and beautiful actress, Sophia Loren. She was born in Suriname but her parents later returned to Guyana to Alexander Village. She is currently pursing a diploma in Public Management at UG and said she loves dancing and music.
Danielle McIntyre is 21 years old. She hails from Linden and stands at 5' 8".
After completing her secondary school education McIntyre said she studied Information Technology (IT) at the Linden Computer College. During this time she also taught on part-time basis at the college to primary level students. She later did a course in PC repairs at the IT Centre in Georgetown and intends to commence studies at UG next year. She is currently employed at Stabroek News.
Cephanna Glasgow, who was a contestant in this year's Miss Guyana/Universe, is 21 years old and is a trained teacher employed at the Wismar Hill Primary School. She was crowned Miss Linden Town Day in 1999 and she enjoys cooking and modelling. She believes that pageantry helps young women to be confident, more focused and disciplined.
Contestant number eleven, Maliza Walton is 20 years old and she also describes herself as being vivacious.
She also hails from Linden but currently resides in the city as she is pursuing a degree in communication at UG.
She worked at the Guyana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) for 18 months during which time she hosted the Quiz Catch Show. She is now at Prime News were she functions as a cameraperson, reporter and anchor of the nightly newscast.
Her favourite quote is "To thine own self be true."
Twenty-two-year-old Candida Telles is the final contestant and she is from Mahaicony. After completing secondary school she did a diploma in computer science at UG.
She also did her BSc studies in Computer Science and said she plans to pursue postgraduate studies in the same discipline in New Zealand.