Kendall Morgan is the New Queen of the Bay
On Saturday night, the longstanding tradition of selecting a Queen of the Bay took place at the Belize City Civic Center. Eight young ladies from across the country, having won titles in their respective communities, competed for the coveted title to become the successor for reigning queen Mazlin Hanson. After a week of interviews and talent competition – not to mention the dreaded curtsy on Saturday night – only one came out as the Queen of the Bay designate. Kendall Morgan from Belize Rural was successfully chosen and will be crowned on September tenth. News Five’s Duane Moody reports.
Kendall Morgan
Kendall Morgan, Queen of the Bay Designate 2023
“It was a lot of mixed emotions. If you noticed, the first thing I did was pray. Behind the scenes, before we came on stage, I did a prayer. And I said, “God, if I win tonight, you are going to be the first person I praise.” And so said so done. I was hearing everyone getting an award and I was like no award, Kendall no award. And boom, the national queen of the bay designate – I’m forever grateful.”
Duane Moody, Reporting
Still bursting with excitement and a sense of accomplishment, twenty-year-old Miss Belize Rural Kendall Morgan is the new Queen of the Bay and her name will forever be etched in history for having captured the crown. This Biology and Chemistry student at Saint John’s College Junior College is also a track and field athlete. She spoke about the transition to pageantry.
Kendall Morgan
“Before I came into this pageant, training as Miss Belize Rural, I was just an athlete, used to floss and tennis and so they had to break me in with the heels. The long heels, thin heels; you had to walk, set your feet a certain kind a way. It was so difficult. Me crying, sleepless nights, curtsy; just the wall squats and everything. I said I can do this, I can do this. And every time it was that same question; I can do this. And so said so done. We did it – not myself, but we as a community, we as a group. It’s a feeling and a half just to represent my community and where I come from to show what the rural community has to offer. And we will do it again next year. I am taking it to the rural to inspire these young ladies to join this pageant so that they can bring it home, back to the rural.”
A Burrell Boom resident, Morgan advocates for youths in sports. During her reign, she wants to use the Queen of the Bay platform to expand this mission.
Kendall Morgan
“I have a list of sporting events that I want to do. I want to do some coach training so that we can have more coach and equipments. I want to partner with people from outside so that they can bring equipments these children so that they can be the new athletes in Belize and our country may be number one. I want to see that so bad and it’s not impossible.”
Seven other delegates from across the country competed for the title in areas of introduction, talent, an interview, the curtsy and the final question. Morgan says that she will support her fellow queens.
Kendall Morgan
“We are all queens and I want us to continue to support each other. Women empowerment as well as empowerment for the entire nation. We must empower each other not only as women, but as male too. I want to see them achieve as much as they are because we are some very intelligent young ladies. They are very smart and they have a mission and I want to see them fulfil that. So go for it ladies, go for it.”
Capturing second place was Stann Creek West’s Keely Faux and third place went to Belmopan’s Neveah Ramos. Duane Moody for News Five.
Miss Eloquence went to Miss Corozal Alina Iglesias; Miss Amity was Belize City Naya Booden; best curtsy went to Stann Creek West Keely Faux, best talent to Stann Creek Central Tori Chaplin, and Miss Photogenic was Miss Belmopan Neveah Ramos.
