Ullanda Wiltshire, lab assistant: 'The pageant came off fairly okay but I was against the decision to have two past queens in the running. Both Olive and Odessa have made their mark in the local pageant arena; it is time someone fresh emerges as the new face. The other delegates were more or less in the background since the attention was on the two past queens. It would have been extremely difficult for a newcomer to win taking into consideration the hype that Odessa and Olive had created. Odessa was clearly the better of the two on pageant night so she deserved to win. Odessa has my blessings though and I think Guyanese should look past everything and support her.'
Vannie, sales clerk: `The pageant was really between Olive and Odessa. From the time they decided to contest the other girls had no chance of winning. I feel the other delegates were at a disadvantage because they were lacking the support that is needed to boost confidence. The two past queens had the support and their followers remained loyal on pageant night. I believe that the judges' decision is final and if Odessa was the better girl then she deserved to be crowned queen. Odessa may not have the beauty pageant look but you either have it or not. I feel that she can do us proud.'
Martin Gaul, businessman: 'Olive is a true queen and by far she was the most outstanding on that night. If we are looking for a woman of substance Olive fits the bill. The woman has attitude, glamour, grace, beauty and she is intelligent. Olive is who we need on the international stage representing our country. Despite losing to Odessa she kept her head up and never stopped smiling. Olive's level of diplomacy and professionalism was unmatched that night. Odessa is without a doubt a talented woman. I felt the show came off pretty well and enjoyed Sparrow more than anything else.'
Motee Singh, attorney: `This country needs a new breed of beauty queens. The inclusion of the past queens is a step backwards. Someone new was robbed of a chance to represent Guyana because the organisers saw it fit to allow Olive and Odessa to contest the pageant. There were girls in the line up who are capable of doing us proud on the international stage. The two past queens were given the opportunity to be ambassadors and very little was heard of their respective performances. Olive and Odessa were favourites from the onset and the much needed support went their way. It is not surprising that the crown went to Odessa it could have gone to either of the two. Odessa has the physical appearance but her facial features are not that striking. Olive is a beauty. One just has to look at her and they can see.'
Paulette Alleyne, sales clerk: 'I think it is good that we can hold pageants in particular the local leg of the Miss Universe pageant. They are really a forum for self-expression and we can show the world that we have something to offer. I felt that the competition was clearly between Olive and Odessa. They were in the past pageants and possessed the 'know how'. However I would assume that there was more than meets the eye. Odessa does not have that beauty queen look; her features are not striking. Olive has the look we see on the international stage.'
Banmattie Singh, pastor: `I saw Odessa and was taken aback by the young woman's stately demeanour. I was heartened to hear her speak with such exuberance that night. I was impressed when she spoke on her platform. She was focused and confident when she addressed the issues of solid waste management. I saw a queen in Odessa that night, she possessed the characteristics. I feel this pageant was different than the Miss World therefore Odessa and Olive has the right to be in the running if they so desired. Judging Odessa on her looks is not a fair assessment of her ability to represent this country well. Odessa's features may not be striking but she has the intellect and is articulate enough to stand out. I wish her the best of luck at the upcoming Miss Universe pageant.'
Dexter Bamfield, debt collector: 'I think the best person won. The judges decided that Odessa will do us proud on the international stage and their decision is final. I see no reason why Olive and Odessa should not have been in the pageant, there is no rule saying that they were not allowed to contest. Their participation set the standard that we are looking for in crowning local queens. Odessa might not be a striking queen but she has what it takes. The least people can do is support her. She did win convincingly. I feel that rumours will always surface and unless someone has proof of any fixing people cannot assume that such is the case.'
Kashif Mohammed, co-founder of Kashif and Shanghai Football tournament: `We need positive representation on the international arena and Odessa has it all. She is a real beauty and also very intelligent. Her performance that night was nothing short of exceptional and the judges saw just that. They crowned her queen because she was the outstanding one. Gone are the days of the stereotyped queen with the blue eyes and blond hair. Odessa and Olive are striking young beauties and I supported their participation in the pageant. It is not illegal for past queens to enter other pageants and just like every other girl they set out to win. I am not surprised that rumours have surfaced. People would often say all kinds of craziness when things do not go their way but I do not subscribe to any of it. Rumours will never go away.'
Lashoun Morgan, student: 'I think it was a fair pageant and the best girl won. Odessa worked hard for the title and she deserved it. The competition was between Olive and Odessa and like most people I thought Olive had a better chance of winning. The other delegates were not on par with past queens which goes to show training is essential. When we choose a queen emphasis should be on how the world will see her. We want a girl who can bring home the crown and take into consideration her looks.'
Travis Eversely, student: The other delegates were at a disadvantage since two past queens were contesting. Olive and Odessa were in similar positions before and clearly had the edge. They were both confident having been there and done that. I was against their participation in the pageant. Odessa was the strongest of the delegates; she handled the competition very well. Her responses were sharp and she spoke with confidence that night. Olive is a beauty no doubt but she did not shine that night and if she could not pull if off here how could she have pulled it off at the international level?'