Twelve to vie for Miss Princess and Miss Talented Teen crowns

The six Miss Talented Teen contestants. They are from left: Melissa Ferreira, Reanna Chase, Cindyann Khan, the reigning Miss Talented Teen Aliya Wong, Gabriella Whittington, NaShava Thompson and Lisette Glen.
The six Miss Talented Teen contestants. They are from left: Melissa Ferreira, Reanna Chase, Cindyann Khan, the reigning Miss Talented Teen Aliya Wong, Gabriella Whittington, NaShava Thompson and Lisette Glen.

Come November 5 Simpli Royal will host the 17th edition of Miss Guyana Talented Teen and the inaugural Miss Guyana Princess Pageant. The audience will have the pleasure of a double treat when the Princesses meet the Teens in a pageant dubbed ‘Flowers in Bloom’ at the Promenade Gardens.

On August 3, six pretty teens vying for the Miss Guyana Talented Teen title and a special batch of six pre-teens who will be competing for the first ever Miss Guyana Princess title were introduced to a small gathering at the National Cultural Centre.

The princesses were each given pageant names after Disney Princesses who were characters of strength, poise, beauty and bravery.

The princesses are: 10-year-old Naomie Pillay of St Angela’s Primary (Cinderella), 12-year-old Sheltisha Dawson of North Georgetown Secondary (Jasmine), 11-year-old Ena Joaquin of Richard Ishmael Secondary (Mulan), 11-year-old Nyomie Sampson of St Joseph High (Pocahontas), 11-year-old Keara Jarvis of Peter’s Hall Primary (Rapunzel) and the youngest at eight years old, Oshay Roberts of Hopetown Primary (Snow White).

The six little girls vying for the Miss Princess crown. They are from right, top row: Naonie Pillay, Keara Jarvis, Nayomie Sampson. Bottom row: Sheltisha Dawson, Oshay Roberts and Ena Joaquin.

The teens and their platforms are: 16-year-old Lisette Glen of Central High (Women in Medicine); 17-year-old NaShava Thompson, University of Guyana (Women in Telecommunication); 17-year-old Gabriella Whittington, former student of East Ruimveldt Secondary (Women in the Military); 18-year-old Cindyann Khan, Nations University (Young Female Scholars); 16-year-old Reanna Chase, Government Technical Institute (Women in the Home); and 17-year-old Melissa Ferreira,  University of Guyana, (Women in Engineering).

In an interview, the mother of pageantry and Chief Executive Officer of Simpli Royal, Pamela Dillon said she is thrilled to be working with the lineup of 12 beautiful young ladies. “We will spare no effort in ensuring that our delegates experience the dynamism and excitement that surround the plans for this event. The pageant and activities planned are designed to provide each participant with the opportunity to promote our sponsors, their schools, communities and culture and at the same time learn more about the other participants while encouraging networking and integration and promoting social cohesion and family values among our children,” she said.

She added also that the main focus of the pageant is its social etiquette programme that includes modules in skincare and personal hygiene for girls, dining effectively, talent development, ballroom dancing and oral presentation and charitable activities which culminate in the cotillion scheduled for October 22.

The 12 contestants vying for the two crowns.

There is also a scheduled Spa Party for the Princesses on October 7, as well as a ‘Daddy Day’ which is geared toward having the girls spend quality time with their fathers at a brunch the following day.

Initially, there were to be two the pageants with the princesses competing for the crown on August 20 at the Theatre Guild while the teens’ pageant was scheduled to go down tomorrow night (October 1). However due to lack of sponsorship, one pageant is now slated for November 5.

For those attending the cotillion set to be held at the Pegasus Hotel, a $5,000 donation is requested.

The ‘Flowers in Bloom’ Pageant begins at 4 pm.

Pamela Dillon is inviting companies to be a part of the lineup of sponsors by providing a laptop computer, educational awards, starter savings accounts, a work station, or any other age appropriate gifts and opportunities for the winners.

In addition she thanks all sponsors for the extraordinary part they have played in this journey so far.