56th Queen of the Bay pageant runs Friday
It’s the oldest and some would say the most prestigious of Belize’s many beauty pageants. On Friday night the fifth-sixth Queen of the Bay will be selected and News 5’s Jacqueline Woods offers a preview.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Eight ladies will be vying for the title of Queen of the Bay. The young women, who are between the ages of sixteen and twenty, say even though it is a competitive event, they have managed to establish a bond during the time that they have been rehearsing for the pageant.
Tanya Lizama, 20 years old
“We’ve developed somewhat of a friendship. It might be hard for some people to understand that people could establish strong bonds in such a small space of time, but that’s what we did. We bonded by going several places and that gave us the opportunity to see and actually interact on a personal as well as group basis with each other.”
Karen Chan, 20 years old
“We’ve been practising since last week Friday and so far it’s enjoyable. I got to meet a lot of new friends and they were all supportive of me because on Tuesday I lost my grandmother and they were all there for me, so I am truly grateful for that.”
Ebony Lyall, 16 years old
“These young ladies that are competing against me are wonderful young ladies. I must say that I cannot find any problem with them, because the day that I entered the hotel room they just welcomed me with open arms. It made me feel very comfortable.”
Taralee Sutherland, 20 years old
“This will be the most exciting pageant, I think anyone has ever seen. The girls are very excited to do what they’re suppose to do.”
As the night of the pageant draws nearer, the contestants have been busy getting familiar with the stage and how to walk comfortably in those heels.
Ritamae Hyde, 19 years old
“Well I am not nervous as yet. I bet tomorrow night if you’d ask me the same question I will be nervous then. But, I think I have the basic expectations like all the rest of the girls. We all wish to do our best, have fun, and whoever wins we will still go on.”
While some ladies bring a measure of experience to the stage, for others it’s a first time event.
Lorine Moore, 17 years old
“I decided to enter the pageant because it has always been a dream of my to be in such a historical event.”
Vicky Bowman, 18 years old
“Well, I wanted to try something different, something new. I want to express myself more, be out there. So it’s just to experience something different.”
The ladies are accompanied by the reigning Queen of the Bay, Natalie Perez. Perez has been giving the contestants words of encouragement, as well as a few tips.
Natalie Perez, Reigning Queen of the Bay
“I would advise the girls to not be nervous, because that is something that can throw them off. They just have to be themselves.”
The 56th annual Queen of the Bay starts at 7:00 at the Belize City Centre on Friday night. The public is asked to come out and support all eight contestants. Reporting for News 5, Jacqueline Woods.
Tickets for the Queen of the Bay are fifteen dollars reserved, ten general and five for children. The curtsies begin at 7:00.
