The contestants were introduced Thursday evening in the Black Magic Room of Hotel Tower, Main Street, Georgetown.

The pageant is scheduled for April 27, and two of the leading figures in its organisation are Miss Guyana World 2001, Olive Gopaul and designer /choreographer/trainer, Mr. Derek Moore.

According to Gopaul, the University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS) is trying to lift the standards of the event and to make it a training ground for contestants of national competitions like Miss Guyana World and Miss Guyana Universe.

The UGSS is delighted with the fact that past winners and runners-up of the pageant have done well at national beauty contests.

Gopaul herself was crowned Miss UGSS 2001 and went on to win the Miss Guyana World crown that year.

Odessa Phillips placed as the first runner-up in Miss UGSS 2002 and she was crowned by Gopaul as Miss Guyana World 2002.

The structure of the pageant this year is quite interesting and the great bunch of contestants will make for a nice event.

According to Gopaul, for the first time in the history of the contest, pre-judging activities will be held.

Before the big night, the contestants will be involved in a rap session with University students, on which they will be pre-judged.

The talent segment will also be pre-judged, as well as a live question and answer session on GTV.

Interestingly, one contestant’s platform is ‘Turtle Conservation’, and she wrapped herself up in the humour that came along with the announcement.

This, of course, was owing to a Miss Guyana Universe 2003 contestant who was rather confused about what turtle conservation means, promoting the endangered Leatherback as a delightful edible commodity!

As usual, there will be no swimsuit segment in the Miss UGSS pageant.

The contestants and the pageant committee are currently soliciting sponsorship and fundraising activities will include a ‘car wash’ and a fashion show.

Each delegate will be asked to do volunteer work with any of the non-profitable organisations in Guyana.

“This pageant is not only about beauty, but about the development of the girls”, Gopaul said.

The organisers of the contest are thanking the proprietors of Crystal boutique, Tip Top Salon, Nalini’s Salon and Hotel Tower for their initial support.

The delegates are:

SHELLY SATAUR, 21, pursuing a Degree in International Relations. Her favourite pastime is reading, and were anyone to ask her to describe herself in one word, she would choose “sincere”.

GENEVEIVE BLACKMAN, 20, is pursuing a degree in Business Management. Even though she is of African descent, she has grown to appreciate Indian people, movies and music and this, she said, has made her a stronger person.

GAIL PEREIRA, 20, is pursuing a Diploma in Banking and Finance. As a little girl she liked putting on her mother’s shoes and model. She always volunteered to clean them, just for the chance of parading in them.

CHRISTA SIMMONS, 17, is pursuing a Degree in Sociology. She wants to become a lawyer because she does not like people to be discriminated against.

JUDY HUNG, 18, is pursuing a Degree in Biology. Her ultimate goal is to work as a research scientist. She has proven her worth having had her Chemistry project compete for Guyana in the Caribbean in 2000.

ONESTA SCOTT, 21, is pursuing a Degree in International Relations. She is a teacher at the Tucville Secondary School. She is also an HIV/AIDS peer educator and a volunteer of the Ideas Foundation.

THANDI MC ALLISTER, 21, is pursuing a Diploma in Marketing. It is her most adamant belief that persistence and honesty can propel a person to success.

JESSICA CHAND, 16, is pursuing a Degree in Business Management. She is accustomed to being the youngest in any group activity, and so no big deal here! She wants to become a prominent marketing professional.

ADEIKE CHESTER, 17, is pursuing a Diploma in Computer Science. She spent five years in St. Lucia. There she learnt “bits and pieces” of the “patois” dialect.

FELISHA HOOPER, 19, is pursuing a Diploma in Accountancy. She enjoys dancing, modelling, acting and meeting people.

LOUANN DECOSTA was the last contestant to have signed up and information on her was not readily available.