Concerned Belizean women host pageant to help school

The group, Concerned Belizean Women, has been in existence for two years and they are hoping to make a difference by assisting the less fortunate. The group holds fundraisers and donates the proceeds to various organizations. Their latest venture is a pageant with a cause. The second annual Independence Day Junior Miss pageant for girls between ages nine and eleven will be held at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts this Sunday. Seven contestants will represent the districts and one caye while showing off their poise and talent. News Five’s Delahnie Bain met the young contestants during a rehearsal at the Bliss today.

Delahnie Bain, Reporting

For the past six weeks, contestants have been preparing for the second annual Independence Day Junior Miss Pageant. It’s a fundraising event held by a charity group called the Concerned Belizean Women.

Birdy Francis, Chairperson, Concerned Belizean Women

birdy francis

“The Independence Day Junior Miss is a benefit showcase that we do to raise money to help disenfranchised women and children. Concerned Belize Women, that’s what we do. We do different functions and the money that we raise, we donate it to different shelters and school feeding programs. Right now we’re painting the Salvation Army’s standard five and standard six classrooms and we’re buying twenty-five chairs for them.”

Meet the seven little ladies who will be representing the six districts and Ambergris Caye.

mahalia reneau

Mahalia Reneau, Miss Stann Creek

“My name is Mahalia Reneau, I am eleven years old and I am Miss Stann Creek. My hobbies are singing, dancing and acting.”

Ariyan Rudon, Miss Orange Walk

“I am eleven year old Ariyan Rudon. I am Miss Orange Walk. My hobbies are singing, dancing and acting. My ambition is to become a dentist or a famous singer.”

Kiana Martinez, Miss Toledo

“My name is Kiana Martinez. I am eleven years old and I am Miss Toledo. MY hobbies are singing, dancing and drama.”

Amica Pitts, Miss Ambergris Caye

“My name is Amica Pitts and I am eleven years old. I am Miss Ambergris Caye. My hobbies are singing and dancing.”

Jacy Evelyn, Miss Belize

“I am eleven year old Jacy Evelyn and I am Miss Belize. My hobbies are singing, dancing and reading. My ambition is to be a neurosurgeon or the first female prime minister of Belize.”

Alexandria Young, Miss Corozal

“My name is Alexandria Monique Young and I am Miss Corozal. My Hobbies are writing and my ambition is to become and artist.”

Vineesha Price, Miss Cayo

“My name is Vineesha Mia Alexandria Benita Price. I am nine years old and my ambition is to become a medical doctor. My hobbies are reading, singing and dancing.”

Birdy Francis

“The pageant itself is to give youngsters between ages nine and eleven a platform to display their creativity and an opportunity to gain individual recognition.”

The girls will perform an opening dance and will then compete in several categories for attractive prizes. There will also be giveaways for the audience.

Birdy Francis

“It’s three categories, the district costume then platform statement which will address the district that they’re from and then also the evening gown will show their poise and elegance. We have as the first prize a computer from Fultec. Miss Dianne gave that to us. And then we have a bicycle from PUC for the second prize and then we have a family outing at Bacab Eco-park for a family of six for the third prize. And we have other gifts that have been given to us to give to all seven children. Last year we had what’s called a cultural promenade and we’re inviting parents to bring their children dressed in costumes. If the don’t have costumes a flag is good; just a Belizeans flag. And we ask them to come on stage and then they march around and model what they have on—or they just march—and we give them prizes.”

Chairperson for the Concerned Belizean Women, Birdy Francis, urges the public to support the pageant and help them to help others. Delahnie Bain for News Five.

The show starts at six on Sunday. Tickets are ten dollars for both adults and children.