Fifteen-year-old Hahdiel Jedidah Harry outshone her eight rivals to cop the title of Miss North Georgetown Secondary School (NGSS) on Saturday evening. The pageant was held in the school’s auditorium.
The aspiring lawyer, who hails from Lethem, Central Rupununi, also won the prizes for Best Introduction, Best Talent, Best Evening Gown and Best Stage Appearance. Her platform for the pageant was eradication of sexual abuse among children.
Coming in as first runner-up was Cindy Ann Khan, who aspires to be a Justice of Peace while Yonella Burkett, who wants to become an accountant, copped the second runner-up spot, followed by Johnali Stewart, another aspiring lawyer in third place. Zhoria Wilburg, who would like to become a midwife, secured the fourth runner-up position.
Wilburg also copped the prize for Miss Congeniality while the Most Disciplined Award went to Jehoshebeth Ferdinand. The teenager with the Best Smile throughout the competition was delegate number four, Cindy Khan.
All the delegates were also awarded with hampers from Ricks and Sari, while those who did not make it into the top five would have received a monetary prize from the North Georgetown Secondary School Alumni Association.
Ecstatic
Immediately after the crowning, the newly-crowned queen explained that she was ecstatic to have won the crown and will represent it to the fullest. She promised to implement programmes that will boost the school’s morale and more so, its identity.
Harry added that it has not been an easy road to pageant night, but must acknowledge her parents and siblings, teachers and more so her colleagues for believing in her. According to the 15-year-old, it was a wonderful experience and she would encourage any teenager to get involved in pageantry, claiming that it can be a learning experience, one that they will live with for the rest of their lives.
However, from the beginning of the contest, the newly-crowned queen was on the leader’s board, full of confidence and charm, and topping it off with a unique smile.
During her introduction, she displayed confidence and intelligence and was well received by the audience.
As the competition continued, the queen performed a dramatic dance piece to support her platform titled: “The Eradication of Sexual Abuse Among Children”. Dressed in a shimmering gold and white outfit, she executed the dance routine to perfection.
She also went ahead as the favourite to win the title after the highly-anticipated intelligence segment, which saw each delegate being questioned on their platform. While some of the delegates were left fumbling for words to answer the questions posed to them, Harry was in high spirits as the crowd was 100 percent behind her.
Stiffer penalties
She was asked, “If crowned Miss NGSS, how would you use your influence to help eradicate sexual abuse among children?”
With eloquence combined with poise and charm, Harry responded: “since education is the best preventative tool against sexual abuse, education for the general public about their children’s ownership of their body, how to be bold and say no if felt violated… also lobbying for stricter penalties against sexual predators”.
The crowd went berserk after she answered the question. The delegates then displayed their evening gown and Harry’s was designed by Neilson Nurse. This was followed by the announcement of the special prizes and the final five. In the question and answer segment, each delegate was asked a question by the panel of judges, including Miss Guyana Jamzone 2013, Alicia Bess, Michelle Plater, Clive Prowell and others. As usual, there were some disgruntled patrons who were not too pleased with the decision. The activity was organised by the NGSS Alumni Association and the school’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA).
