Junesville pageant raises money for school expenses

It’s Back to School time, and that means books, fees, uniforms, shoes and a whole lot more … which means Belizean families are scrambling to find ways to stretch their dollars. But one set of residents in the Lake I area of Belize City has gotten very creative, and are holding the first ever Little Miss Junesville Pageant in an effort to provide these necessary supplies to some very deserving little girls.

Shawna Gillett, Co-organizer, Little Ms. Junesville Pageant
?The pageant is on Mayan ruins. Why we choose Maya ruins, because in the summertime usually we have tourists visiting Belize and they like the ruins rite. So we pick Maya ruins so the tourists can get an attraction and mek them see that even the kids in Belize deh like the Maya ruins and like the sites and thing. And each of their slash have the name of a ruin.?

Brea Bowen, Contestant
?Hi, my name is Brea Bowen. I am eight years old and I am proudly representing Ms. Lubaantun.?

Chelcy Vernon, Contestant
?Hi, my name is Chelcy Vernon. I am eight years old and I?m proudly representing Ms. Caracol.?

Natasha Foreman, Contestant
?Hello, My name is Natasha Foreman. I am nine years old and I?m proudly representing Miss Xunantunich. Thank you.?

Kadeejah Brooks, Contestant
?Hi, my name is Kadeejah Brooks and I am nine years old. And I am proudly representing the beautiful and great Altun Ha.?

Tyra Bradley, Contestant
?Hi, I am Dorothais Bradley and I am eight years old. And I am proudly representing Ms. Lamanai.?

Audra Bennett, Contestant
?Hi, My name is Audra Bennett. I am eight years old. I am representing Cerros.?

Shanice Guy, Contestant
?Hi, my name is Shanice Guy. I am eleven years old. I am proudly representing Ms. Cahal Pech.?

Ishaidah Brooks, Contestant
?Hi, my name is Ishaidah Brooks. I am twelve years old and I am proudly representing the great site of Nim Li Punit.?

Shawna Gillett
?Why we choose to do this is because dah back to school time, like summer time, so they could have their school supplies and have everything they need to go back to school. All the prizes dah school supplies and the money we mek will go towards helping them with anything else they need. I think people should come and support us because the kids really need their back to school supplies, and it?s for a worthy cause. And they will have fun they won?t regret it.?

Congratulations to all the participants on their unique initiative. The Little Miss Junesville pageant will take place this Saturday at the Lake I Centre at six p.m. Tickets are available at the door for five dollars for adults and three dollars for kids.