Eleven year old wins Miss Garifuna

She surprised organizers by wanting to enter the contest at the tender age of eleven, but it was no surprise to the audience that little Nirise Martinez took the title. The standard six student from Georgetown became the new Miss Garifuna Saturday night at the City Centre. Organizers tell News Five despite the rainy weather there was a good turnout and it was clear from the start that the youngest contestant in the history of the pageant was the crowd favorite. Six young women from Garifuna communities all over Belize participated in the competition which tested their fluency in Garifuna, knowledge of Garifuna history and culture and their ability to dance the Hungu Hungu, the Chumba and the traditional Punta. The new Miss Garifuna will take part in Settlement Day activities sponsored by the National Garifuna Council and help train contestants for next year’s competition. Nirise Martinez attends Richard Quinn Roman Catholic School in Georgetown.