Concerned Belizean Women present fifth annual Independence Day Junior Miss

The September celebrations kick off this weekend. It’s a calendar filled with activities leading up to national day. This Saturday, the pageant called Independence Day Junior Miss will be staged at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts. Participating will be a number of primary school age girls representing schools around the country. Unlike other pageants, the delegates are brushing up on interesting historical and cultural aspect of the jewel. Duane Moody caught up with them at practice.

Rhondine Palacio, Delegate

Rhondine Palacio

“Hi, my name is Rhondine Palacio and I am eleven years old attending Trinity Methodist Primary School. I am representing the culture capital, Dangriga. My Creole proverb to you is sonce unu noh want come dah wi pageant come enjoy unu self, then dog eat unu supper.”

Shantae Nicholas, Delegate

“Hi my name is Shantae Nicholas, I am ten years old. I attend Wesley Upper School. My Creole proverb for you is; noh everything good fi eat, good fi talk.”

Kimara Flowers

Kimara Flowers, Delegate

“Hi my name is Kimara Flowers, I am nine years old and I am proudly representing the beautiful district of Orange Walk. My Creole proverb for you is every day you go dah well, one day the bottom wah drop out. Thank you.”

Nia Flowers, Delegate

“My name is Nia Flowers, I’m eleven years old attending St. Ignatius pageant. My Creole proverb for you is when yo fel sorry fi maga dog, maga dog turn around and bite yo.”

Kishawna Hall, Delegate

“Hi, my name is Kishawna Hall; I am eight years old. I attend Trinity Methodist School. And my Creole proverb for you is tiger maga but ih caca tarry.”

Anisa Gordon, Delegate

Anisa Gordon

“Hi, my name is Anisa Gordon and I am nine years old. I attend Bernice Yorke Institute of Learning and my Creole proverb for you is every dog has his day—tomorrow fi you, today fi me.”

Asia Petillo, Delegate

“Hi my name is Asia Petillo. I am twelve years old. I attend St. Luke Methodist Primary School. My Creole proverb is when yo play with puppy, puppy lick yo mouth; meaning when yo play with children too much; dehn turn around and disrespect yo.”

Duane Moody, Reporting

Eight girls, ages eight to thirteen, are competing this Saturday night for the title as Independence Day Junior Miss. It is the fifth annual benefit pageant of its kind held by Concerned Belizean Women. The youngsters through several segments of the competition will present interesting facts pertaining to the country to the audience.

Whitney Swift

Whitney Swift, Concerned Belizean Women

“These young ladies have worked hard for the past six weeks. And we have four different sections, the introduction dance, the costume, the platform statement along with the evening gown section.  Saturday night, people can expect a night full of entertainment as well as the different girls will be portraying the different districts along with the islands. The pageant is not all about the money but it is to fundraise to help the needy.”

According to Swift, proceeds from the pageant will be used to benefit women and children who are disenfranchised. The event starts at seven p.m. at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts. Duane Moody for News Five.

Tickets for the event are only ten dollars.