Asha does it alone
- first runner-up in Miss Antilles
By Afeefah Stuart
Stabroek News
May 19, 2004
All alone in a foreign country and no crowd to cheer her on, former Miss Guyana Talented Teen, Asha Pieters, took first runner-up spot in last Saturday night's Miss Antilles International pageant convened in Venezuela.
Pieters also won Miss Photogenic and Miss Elegance prizes.
This is a comeback for her modelling career and she was happy if a little tired when she returned to Guyana on Monday after a challenging week.
She had travelled to Venezuela with no support whatsoever, not even a chaperone and had to look after her wardrobe and makeup on her own.
"I learnt a lot… because of the enormous competition and overwhelming experience to be able to do so well," Pieters told Stabroek News.
"Although I felt like quitting in the midst of the pageant and was taken over with frustration [I prevailed and]... was even surprised that I had placed first runner-up."
She related that Miss Honduras, who was crowned Miss Antilles International 2004, was her only real competitor since she was liked by almost everyone and possessed a free spirit.
Thirteen delegates from countries all over the Caribbean and farther afield were part of the pageant and they paraded in the Culture Centre of Valle de La Pascua, in Garico State in their national costumes, swim-wear, and evening gowns.
Pieters represented Guyana at the pageant after the franchise holder Pamela Dillon, who is also the owner of Fantasy Nails and Simpli Royal, chose her as Guyana's representative.
Olympia Soonaram designed Pieters' entire wardrobe.
The second runner-up in the pageant was Miss Trinidad and Tobago.
So far, Pieters has only received her sash and her trophies and she is awaiting her other prizes.
According to the Charlestown resident, this year is a very hectic one since she has sent in applications for two international pageants namely the Miss Caribbean Jaycees pageant, which is held in Antigua, and the Miss India Worldwide pageant.
"I don't think that I will enter another local pageant except the Miss Guyana Universe since I would really love to have the experience to actually go to Miss Universe," Pieters said.
The young beauty, who stands at 5 ft 7 inches and weighs approximately 95 pounds, is currently in charge of the 'Shea Butter' products at Becks Trading.
She said her modelling career started in 2001 when she was crowned Miss Guyana Talented Teen. Remembering herself as a tomboy, Pieters said that she was not even aware she had entered the talented teen pageant until the co-ordinator, Pamela Dillon telephoned her. When she informed her father of the call, he told her that he had filled out an application form. The then St. John's Secondary School student recalled that, "No one thought that the girl who used to climb trees and hated makeup and heels could have won the pageant."
In 2002, Pieters placed 4th runner-up in the Miss Guyana Universe pageant but in that same year she won the Miss West Indies crown. She travelled to Miami in 2003 with Cole Facts as a model for the Fashion Week of the Americas.
Pieters said in the space of her two-year leave from competition, she worked behind the scenes of many pageants such as Miss Guyana Talented Teen, The Miss Guyana Universe. She said this helped her to perform better because she knows what the judges are looking for.