Miss Belize Pageant delegates meet the press
Whatever your personal opinion, it would appear that along with those staples of rice ‘n beans, fried chicken, and politics … Belizeans love beauty pageants. Today, News Five’s Janelle Chanona presents the first of what may be many reports on this seasonal phenomenon.
Janelle Chanona, Reporting
This week eight young Belizean women will begin rigorous preparations as part of the upcoming competition for the Miss Belize World and Miss Belize Universe crowns.
Leesha Arzu, Orange Walk District Delegate
?I am twenty-one years old and I?m presently a student at the University of Belize, I am pursuing a Bachelor?s Degree in English education and once again welcome, I hope that everyone comes out next week Saturday, this Saturday the twenty-second, and next Saturday for the final pageant. So welcome and I hope you guys have fun. Thank you.?
Kandyce Hutchinson, Orange Walk District Delegate
?My name is Kandyce Hutchinson. I come from Orange Walk Town. I am eighteen years old and I am a teacher at All Saints School in Belize City. The reason I chose to represent myself in this pageant is because I want to be a good ambassador, not only for my hometown but also for Belize, thank you.?
Shanna Pott, Corozal District Delegate
?My name is Shanna Pott and I?m from the lovely district of Corozal. I am nineteen years old and currently pursuing an Associate Degree in Biology and Chemistry at the Corozal Junior College. Thank you for coming and don?t forget to visit our website at www.msbelize.bz and vote for your favourite delegate. Once again thank you.?
Ebony Lyall, Corozal District Delegate
?I am twenty year old Ebony Lyall and I am also from the Corozal district. I have a Bachelor?s Degree in Biology that I attained from the University of Belize. I must say that I?m proud to be delegate of the Ms. Belize pageant this year. I think it?s going to be better than it?s ever been, and I?m inviting you all to come out and watch us do our thing.?
Vicky Arceo, Cayo District Delegate
?My name is Vicky Arceo, I am twenty-one years old and presently attending Sacred Heart Junior College majoring in General Studies. To me this is a dream come through being a delegate for this year?s Ms. Belize 2006. I?m so proud to be representing somewhere my country in many ways. I feel so proud, and I?m privileged to be standing where I am at the moment and I?m prepared as well to how to all my Belizean people what naturally comes from me. Thank you and have a nice day.?
Sharalee Greene, Belize District Delegate
?I am Sharalee Greene. Twenty-two years old and I am presently working at the Belize Bank Limited. This experience allows me to get to know people better which I love. I enjoy meeting people and also I can?t wait for the two weeks ahead to get to meet all our wonderful friends. Thanks again.?
Maria Jeffery, Belize District Delegate
?Welcome everyone. My name is Maria Jeffery. I?m twenty- four years old. I am currently a student at U.B. studying nursing. I am very proud to represent my home district Belize City and myself. I would like to welcome here and welcome everyone to our competitions that we?ll be having this Saturday the twenty-second and the following Saturday the twenty-ninth which is the finals. And I would also welcome everyone to log in to our website which is www.msbelize.bz and vote for your favourite delegate. I invite you all to support our beautiful Belizean girls. Thank you.?
Malaika Yorke, Belize District Delegate
?Good morning everyone. My name is Malaika Yorke. I?m twenty years old and currently attending Wesley Junior College, that?s a sixth form and taking my associates in Information Technology. I enjoy doing what I?m doing, this is absolutely fun. It?s wonderful to represent Belize and all of us here, shows that this is Belize, this is what Belize is made of.?
The Miss Belize franchise is now under the management of Margaret Johnson and her team.
Margaret Johnson, Pageant Coordinator
?Belize will not be participating at the Miss Universe this year and this is in compliance with, we?ve met with the organization of Miss Universe in New York. They?ve agreed, based on what we explained to them that we need time to prepare our delegates. They agreed with us that if we need that time, to take it. For the Miss World Pageant, the delegate can be seventeen to twenty-four. Cannot be older than twenty-four by the date of the pageant. In the case of seventeen, we understand that most are still in high school and some of the high schools do not allow the students to participate, so we tried to stick to the eighteen, by that time we assume they would have already finished high school.?
And pageant coordinators are counting on every red-blooded Belizean for support.
Margaret Johnson
?People have to give us a chance. Give us a chance and in time we?ll learn from our mistakes. I came into the country on June first and that might have been starting off a little late but what we did was trying to get all the sponsors and everything, most of it. Try to get it ready in advance and next year, from this experience to keep getting better.?
Birdy Francis, P.R., Miss Belize
?We can make them the best they can be, and make it so we can compete international. We want you to support us. The pageant is under new management so anything that happened before, put that aside, give us an opportunity at this time to show you what we can do from staff to the delegates.?
Reporting for News Five, I am Janelle Chanona.
Margaret Johnson and Birdy Francis will be assisted by Opal Enriquez and former Miss Belize Leilah Pandy as they prepare for the swimsuit competition this Saturday and the main event on July twenty-ninth. Tickets are on sale at outlets across the country.
