Four were absent for the introduction in the auditorium of Cara Inn, Pere Street, Kitty, Georgetown.

Of the 25, Miss Guyana Universe franchise holder, Odinga Lumumba expects a few dropouts.

Doing the MC’s job at the introduction, Lumumba said that in selecting the delegates, his planning committee placed emphasis on beauty, as the Miss Universe contest is primarily a beauty pageant.

Of course, he pointed out, intelligence was an inevitable criteria, as it is desirable for the contestants to answer questions "quickly and properly".

This year's contestants are from all across Guyana - Shevonne Thomas, 21, of the Rupununi; Paula Balogobin, 24, of Bartica; Tenesha Patrick, 18, of West Bank Demerara; Vanessa Tacooram, 20, of Berbice; Latoya Pereira, 18, of Georgetown; Ulex Atwell, 20, of Georgetown; Nerisa Adams, 20, of Georgetown; Wanda Dey, 25, of Georgetown; Deuel Carter, 24, of Georgetown; Leanna Damond, 25, of Berbice; Marita Persaud, 23, of Essequibo; Sheldyne Ferreira, 18, of Berbice; Analisa Reynolds, 18, of Linden; Danielle McIntyre, 22, of Linden; Stacy Bynoe, 19, of Berbice; Desyln Jack, 17, of Georgetown; Tarmattie Bishun, 19, of East Coast Demerara; Julianna Fortune, 18, of Georgetown; Tandika Samsoodin, 21, of West Bank Demerara; Denese Rodrigues, 22, Berbice; Cindy Benjamin, 26, Berbice; Antionette DaSilva, 22, of Berbice; Evita Walcott, 21, of Essequibo; Jacqueline DeFreitas, 21 of Mabaruma and Mellissa Pickette, 19, of West Bank Demerara.

Most of the delegates are short and this could work to their disadvantage.

Judging from first impressions, Leanna Damond seems set to give the other delegates a run for the crown. She is pretty, has the right height, is in good shape and is friendly.

Denise Rodrigues, who did not fly out of Lethem for the introductory event, could also be a strong contender. From what has been seen of her from the last Rupununi Pageant, she is beautiful, has a radiant smile and has good height.

Ulex Atwell, a former Talented Teen queen, and Miss Guyana World participant, is probably the most "experienced" of the contestants. She models well, but it is hoped that many will not sigh on seeing her in pageantry again.

The girls' next big event will be in two weeks time, when reporters will be able to chat freely with them at what Lumumba called a "press party" that will include sponsors and potential sponsors.

Lumumba told reporters that he has not yet decided who will be training the girls.

He is to choose between Trinidadian Lester Roseau, who worked with last year's contestants, and USA-based Guyanese Robert Dover and former Miss USA first runner-up Leanne Angus.

While a venue has also not yet been decided upon, Lumumba said that the girls will undergo a six-week compulsory training session.

As already reported by the Chronicle, the swimsuit competition is likely for Splashmin’s Fun Park again this year and the intelligence sequence will take place on national television.

The actual show has not yet been finalised. But Lumumba talked of various skits by local comedian Henry Rodney, an international singer and dance group, plus local performers and a "dynamic opening".

With the pageant less than two months away, it seems that Lumumba and his planning committee has a tall task ahead.

The pageant is billed for the National Cultural Centre on February 22, the night before Guyana's biggest national celebration, Mashramani.