Nine hopefuls to contest Queen of the Bay crown

For many people, September celebrations officially start when the Queen of the Bay is chosen. Tonight News Five’s Kendra Griffith has the honour of introducing the young hopefuls in this year’s competition.

Kendra Griffith, Reporting
On Saturday night, nine young ladies will dominate the stage at the City Centre for the sixty first edition of Queen of the Bay pageant … and according to the girls, national pride made them do it.

Angela Lozano, Miss Stann Creek
?I decided to enter the pageant because it is a way of showing my patriotism and I am very proud to be a Belizean and this is one way of giving back to my community. Because by being a part of this pageant, I am actually keeping the trend up, this way it can keep on going. Like Miss Emma mentioned in several interviews, it is an unbroken chain and my participation in this pageant has made it possible for it to continue this year.?

Blanca Sanabria, Miss Orange Walk
?Well I decided to enter this pageant to show my patriotism to my country Belize. I?m very honoured to be in this pageant.?

Lisa Marie Jones, Miss Old Belize
?My family history plays an integral part in the surrounding of the battle of St. George?s Caye, and I wanted to contribute historically to my culture. Also, I would like to leave my name as a mark as a descendant of the Flowers family and men of Flowers Bank.?

Audrey Augustine, Miss Cayo
?I believe that the pageant is not only entertaining, but a historical event and two, I want to show my patriotism towards the country of Belize, because I am proud to be a Belizean.?

Verna Hauze, Trainer, Queen of the Bay
?They will be judged on the introduction and then the talent. Then they have the curtsey, the march and then question and answers.?

The curtsey segment of the show is always a hit with audience members but contestants say the physically challenging move is tough to master.

Blanca Sanabria
?The most difficult part has been the curtsey because it takes a lot of hard work and your legs hurt.?

Stephanie Martinez
?The most difficult thing is the curtsey, although I practice a lot. I am improving myself in the curtsey, but it is very difficult.?

Samantha Martinez, Miss Caribbean Sea
?The curtsey, going down, that?s kinda difficult.?

Kendra Griffith
?But you think you?ll have it nailed come Saturday??

Samantha Martinez, Miss Caribbean Sea
?Yes, I will try my best to work it out, and things like that.?

According to the trainers, exercise helps to conquer the difficult move, something that Benque?s Sheny Lara learnt early on.

Sheny Lara, Miss Benque Viejo
?I?ve been practicing before because I knew about the pageant and I exercise, so the curtsey is not painful for me.?

Helping to quell nervous anticipation on stage is Leesha Pollard, who took over royal duties from 2005 winner Carrie Wong K, who is currently in Colorado attending the Air Force Academy.

Leesha Pollard, Reigning Queen of the Bay
?It?s about being elegant, prestige. Queen of the Bay is not really a beauty pageant, it?s a very educated pageant, it teaches you about history, about Belize?s history as well. So the way you stand up is giving you ladylike gracefulness.?

Kimberly Pitts, Miss Belmopan
?I believe that I should be the next Queen of the Bay because by becoming the Queen of the Bay it takes a lot of responsibility, and I have it within me to fulfil those responsibilities.?

Shadene Ottley, Miss Belize City
?From I was a young lady growing up I always wanted to take part in this pageant, and now I feel that I am ready. Another reason is because I want to be a role model for younger girls in my age.?

Leesha Pollard
?The responsibilities of the Queen of the Bay is that whosoever wins, that young lady is a role model to children as well, mostly females. The Queen of the Bay also has to play a major role into society, the community, socializing and interacting.?

Both the contestants and organisers are hoping that plenty of Belizeans will come out and support one of the most popular events on the national social calendar.

Kendra Griffith
?Why should people come out on Saturday and see this pageant??

Lisa Marie Jones
?Because all of us young ladies have talent, and it would be an unforgettable night. It will be very exciting and elegant at the end.?

Audrey Augustine
?We put a lot of hard work into this, so it would only be nice if people show their appreciation towards the hard work we do. It looks easy, but it?s a lot of work.?

Angela Lozano
?Besides the excitement, this is also a part of our history. And to be a Belizean, I think everyone should be proud that we actually have an event like this. They should come out and support it so we can keep it going.?

Verna Hauze
?Because it?s nine girls, we don?t want the pageant to last too long. So it starts seven o?clock sharp, we are trying to make sure that it starts seven sharp.?

Kendra Griffith reporting for News Five.

Tickets for the pageant are fifteen dollars reserve, ten general and can be purchased at outlets across the country. Among the prizes for this year’s Queen of the Bay is a two-year scholarship to the University of Belize.