Come November 1, 13 mature, professional women will converge on the National Cultural Centre stage to compete in the fourth Ms Renaissance pageant. They will all partake in three segments of competition and at the end of four-hour show, one will take over the title from reigning queen, Simone Beckles.
This pageant is one that caters specifically for women 27 years and above who have began living successful lives, with careers and in some instances a family.
Recently The Scene took the opportunity to sit and chat with some of the contestants to get their take on the ‘Renaissance experience’ so far among other things. Nine of the Ms Renaissance contestants have been featured so far. Here are to the remaining four contestants.
Rita Thomas
A 53-year-old mother of two, Rita Thomas is a front desk clerk coordinator at Lake Mainstay Resort, Essequibo Coast. This is Rita’s first pageant and one she never thought she would be in, given the nature of her job. She recalled that several months ago she got a call from pageant coordinator Negla Brandis, who told her that she had a “professional voice” and she wanted to meet with her. That was the stepping stone and before long she was convinced after being given the assurance that she had all the right attributes to compete in a pageant of this nature. She said she was so imbued with confidence that she had what it took that although it would take her three hours to get to the city she decided to face the challenge head on. So far Rita is enjoying the personal development sessions of the pageant preparation. She told The Scene that those little things she never paid attention to before, she now understands how important they are to her. Rita sees the Ms Renaissance pageant as of a different calibre and stressed that she has the full blessing of her children who live abroad, parents, other relatives and friends. This Moruka-born woman said that whenever she has to attend activities in Georgetown, her manager will take on her workload and for this she is grateful. Her talent piece on pageant will be a monologue.
Karen Pratt
This 39 year-old Research Coordinator Associate of the Institute of Development Studies, University of Guyana is very excited about reliving those younger years when she was took part in pageants. In her teenage years, Karen Pratt, who also works on development projects for national and international organizations, took part in the Miss Christ Church Junior and the Miss Super Fantasia, Clash of the Queens, pageants. Karen is currently employed with Global Perspectives, which is a company that deals with development projects. She told The Scene that she was encouraged to enter the pageant by a friend, adding that she had been hearing about the Ms Renaissance pageant for years. The catchy part of this pageant she says is that it offers grown women an opportunity to showcase their beauty as well at Guyana’s diverse culture. “So far I am enjoying every moment of it… especially the dance sequences because I just love dancing and music,” she added. Socializing with the other contestants is another area of enjoyment for Karen. According to her, the whole experience is challenging as it demands a lot of your time for the various activities. Her family she said is 100% behind her and they ensure that they are at every function. Karen stressed that she is confident that she will be queen and as pageant night approaches she is getting ‘jitters’. She will be performing a dance.
Ameena Hinds
A 29-year-old mother of a nine-year-old daughter, Ameena Hinds is an environmental officer at the Ministry of Health. For this Wakenaam born contestant Ms. Renaissance is her first pageant and she is enjoying every moment of it. According to Ameena she was motivated to join especially since it offers a culturally enriching experience for the professional Guyanese woman. The fact that this pageant has no swimwear segment added to her decision to enter. So far Ameena is enjoying the question and answer sessions which are held regularly on a variety of issues. Though the preparation feels like too much to handle, she says that she hasn’t regretted entering because it is helping her to become a better person. Being a part of this pageant is also helping her to be on time since before she has always had time management issues. “I like the whole image of realizing that I am a woman and should take care of myself,” she said. Her daughter, Ameena said, is on top of the world and is just as excited as she is. She will be performing a monologue on November 1.
Lourianne Pluck
At age 30, Lourianne Pluck brings with her a wealth of pageant experience as she makes a second attempt at being crowned Ms Renaissance. This front desk tourist representative at Roraima Airways was a delegate in the 2007 pageant but had to drop out prematurely because of a job opportunity abroad. Lourianne started modelling at six years old and has entered many pageants and holds a few crowns under her belt including Miss Berbice and Miss Lions Emancipation. She was the first runner-up in the 2001 Miss African Heritage. She told The Scene recently that her mom is her number one supporter and is behind her 100%. According to her she is both excited and tired — tired in the sense that she has to manage a new job with the pageant preparations. Asked why she decided to compete
this year she replied, “I wanted to finish what I started last year”. She is enjoying the lecture sessions because they are very informative and she expressed her confidence in being crowned queen this year. On pageant night she will be performing a monologue which is a partial Indian dance with a dramatic poem that ends in music.
… tickets on sale
Meanwhile, tickets are out and those desirous of attending are being asked to get theirs early as a sold-out crowd is anticipated.
According to information from pageant coordinator Negla Brandis tickets can be purchased at Matt’s Record Bar, The Village Couture, Cara Lodge, Hair Frenzy, Clairan’s Enterprise and the National Cultural Centre. Ticket prices are $2,500 and $1,500. The event starts at 8 pm sharp.
Donna Austin, Andrea Bollers, Renita Crandon-Duncan, Carol Fraser-Lindo, Claudette Fredericks, Quacy Mc Gowan, Marcia Harris, Patricia Helwig, Gracelin James, Jacqueline King, Esther Moore, Lourianne Pluck, Karen Pratt and Rita Thomas will vie to take the crown from reigning queen Simone Beckles. This is the fourth staging of the pageant.
The women were sashed during a simple ceremony at Plaza Hotel back in May.
The Ms Renaissance pageant caters for women aged 28 years and over, allowing them to show off their accomplishments, inner beauty, maturity, leadership skills, cultural awareness and talent.
