This event will see persons from Suriname, Venezuela, Columbia, Barbados, St. Kitts, St. Vincent, Trinidad, British Virgin Islands, St. Lucia, Anguilla, Antigua and Jamaica and Guyana competing for the crown.

Guyana's delegate at the pageant, billed for February 22 at the National Cultural Centre at 20:00 hrs. is Miss Ulex Atwell. Atwell is a former Miss Talented Teen and has also been part of other pageants.

According to Dillon, the event under next year's Mash theme "Unity, Beauty & More in 2004" is a celebratory one which will showcase the beauty, creativity, diversity, charm and similarity of the Caribbean culture.

Activities leading up to pageant night include an auction of something significant (art, jewellery or craft) that each delegate will bring to Guyana, a fashion show dubbed "Taste of the Caribbean" which will feature creations from each of the countries/island.

Collections from Overseas based Guyanese Roger Gary and Wilma Hudson as well as Michelle Cole, Olympia Sunaram and Samuel Boucher on the local scene will also be featured.

The delegates will also make courtesy calls on CARICOM, and the Ministry of Tourism among others.

Apart from Dillon, the six other persons on the Miss Mash International Committee are Marvin Pearce, Petal Ridley, Havril Deane, Jermaine Denny, Wendy Hermonstine and Dexter Luther.