Pre-med student Arti Cameron set pulses racing to take top honours at the Miss Guyana World 2011 pageant on Sunday evening, which also saw three other queens being crowned.
Before the audience at the National Cultural Centre, Cameron, who was a favourite from the start, also took the Miss Photogenic, Body Beautiful and Best Gown prizes.
First runner-up Soyini Fraser was awarded Miss Guyana Princess of the World, while second and third runner-ups Celeste Dolphin and Utieka John, secured the titles of Miss Guyana Caribbean World and Miss United Nations, respectively. While Cameron will be travelling to London, England for the Miss World Pageant, the three queens will represent Guyana at the other international pageants.
Despite a late start, the pageant got off to a bang by offering the audience the opportunity to get a glimpse of the delegates in their swimsuits once again. The girls made their way on stage in long, shimmering coats that hugged their every curve, before revealing their blue, two-piece bikinis as they strutted along to the bubbly music.
Cameron’s only false step seemed to be when she opened the talent segment with a dance, titled ‘Mixed Moods,’ in which she danced to various types of music while performing her wardrobe changes on stage.
Dolphin, Fraser, John and Siestra Allen stood out in the talent segment with impressive performances.
Dolphin presented a violin recital and later treated the audience to an old Guyanese special, ‘Small Days.’ Fraser dramatised the Maya Angelou poem ‘Still I Rise,’ where she showed the transformation from an angry woman in rags to a professional woman. Many in the audience described the depiction as revolutionary.
John sang American Idol winner Ruben Studdard’s ‘Flying without Wings’ while Allen sang Bob Marley’s ‘Redemption Song,’ both to acclaim but not enough to wow the audience.
It was Ruquayyah Boyer who ended up walking away with the top prize in this segment. She did a self-composed, spoken-word dramatic poem, titled ‘Breathe,’ which depicted an abused woman overcoming the hurdles presented to her by an unappreciative man.
This act won the support of many for Boyer, as screams and whistles were heard throughout the venue long after the contestant left the stage.
The Evening Wear segment which followed saw the girls all beautifully decked out in their gowns. But Cameron was the stunner in a turquoise sequined dress. The gown, which was designed by Michelle Cole, had glimmering scales, which were said to represent the connection Cameron shares with the Caribbean Sea.
Boyer’s gown, called Venus, the Goddess of love and beauty, was a flowing red dress, which complemented her ebony complexion.
It was designed by Randy Madray. Also designed by Madray was Boyer’s jewellery, which included a crystal necklace.
John graced the stage in a simple but gorgeous purple gown, adorned with a flowing train which added elegance to her look.
The dress had a silver waistband, which accentuated her tiny waist. Dolphin displayed a long, pleated sequined dress with a mini shimmering train. She complemented the gown with accessories and elegantly shimmered her way about the stage.
Allen, the youngest contestant in the pageant, wore an ensemble that was described by the hosts as “carefully researched” and she was referred to as the “Goddess of the Earth.” The royal blue silk dress, which was designed by Paul Allen, was adorned with hand painted designs and sequins.
Fraser, meanwhile, was decked out in a shimmering long evening gown. The saffron yellow was complemented with a shawl and was elegantly displayed by the tall beauty.
She would later take the honours in the Intelligence Segment.
The question, based on the theme of this year’s pageant—Beauty with a purpose- Empowering the Guyanese woman—required the four finalists to say in 30 seconds or less, what role men could play in empowering women.
Fraser managed to impress the judges as she responded, “Men have an important role to play. Women, in Guyana especially, need the brace and support of Guyanese men. For a woman to take a stance, to grow up in society and also, to be all that she can be, there needs to be somebody, a father, a brother or even a friend, guiding her along and showing her that she can do it, morally, spiritually and also financially.”
Cameron, meanwhile, delivered a smooth and sharp response, when she said, “I believe that men should support the roles of women to encourage them to take full advantage of their education and academics.
I also believe by understanding and being more aware of the effect that violence has on women and children will help to empower women. I also believe that men could encourage their fellow men to support equal opportunities for both men and women, with this, they will progress greatly as a nation.”
Also on the evening’s programme were calypso items offered by Young Bill Rogers, with pieces entitled ‘15 cents Sweetheart’ and ‘Stop gender-based violence,’ as well as a serenade by local Rapper Don Gialiani, who also performed his popular remix of ‘Teach me how to Dougie Remix.’ The pageant was hosted by Alethea Shephard, Miss Guyana World 2010, and attorney Nigel Hughes.
