By Chevon Lim
Women from across Guyana will be participating in the 2018 Ms. Earth Pageant which is slated for April 2018. From all indications, this is indeed a pageant with a difference. The contestants, who will be gathered from across the country will be given the chance to raise awareness, not only about the environment but health related issues that follow. Under the ownership of Guyana Premier and its new National Franchise Director, Mr. Dave Lalltoo, the pageant is expected to see new levels of competition and hopefully mark the initiation of the journey to bring us home a long desired international crown.
The Miss Earth Guyana pageant is the local precursor pageant for the international Miss Earth Pageant which is among the top three in the world. It has reached a point in popularity that over one hundred countries are scheduled to take part this year. According to the Pageant’s Managing Director, Dr. Omesh Balmacoon, one of the main reasons it has grown is because of the fact that it focuses primarily on raising awareness about the environment and our planet through its “Beauties for a Cause” segment.
As the pageant builds momentum, the contestants are preparing for the grand Miss Earth Guyana Grand Gala Dinner and Sashing Ceremony, which will be held at the Aracari Hotel and Resort on Saturday, 10th March, 2018. During a recent interview with the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Dr. Balmacoon also revealed that guests at the event will be treated to 100% Guyanese Talent. “There are twelve semi-finalists in total. It will be a night to remember,” he announced.
The last Miss Earth Guyana pageant was held in 2010 when Soyini Fraser was crowned as queen but a representative was sent up for the international pageant as recent as 2014. It was local belle, Stacy Ramcharran who took the crown back then, but after the franchise was lost one year later, it was not possible to choose another girl. As such she remains the reigning Miss Earth Guyana; that is until the grand coronation of Miss Earth Guyana 2018.
Miss Earth Guyana 2018 and her court will benefit from a prize package of over one million dollars in cash and other prizes. The coronation night is scheduled for April 28th, 2018.
This year’s event is sponsored by DemBake, Caribbean Wind and Sun, Aracari Hotel And Resort, Guyana Premier, GHF, Precise Printing, and Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassadors Network. To secure tickets, interested persons can call (592) 612 0247, 653 0436, 697 5127, 668 1753, or 662 6236.
The three contestants who have already been revealed are Prudence Lam, Onika Ray Pellew and Xamiera Kippins. The remaining beaties will be presented to the public at the sashing ceremony.
Contestants
Meet Prudence Lam, 19, Linden
I think it is perfection at its best. Hence, I’m very passionate about the environment (the trees, the animals, everything!) I believe that they all should be treated with love and care, so it would give me great joy to be an advocate for it.
For most of my life, I’ve been a very shy and timid person and for years I’ve desperately tried to avoid any situation that would put me in the limelight. But I realized that that is me ‘acting small’ and I Will never reach my full potential by just doing that.
So I know that this pageant is the perfect opportunity for me to build my confidence and grow personally while helping something I hold very close to my heart.
Meet Luann Onika Ray Pellew, 24, Georgetown
I want to be the next Miss Earth Guyana because representing my country and having a voice to what is happening in my environment matters.
It is not just about winning the Miss Earth Guyana title but what comes with it. I’d get to become an ambassador for my country and at the end of it all, I get to address what the real issues are and help to solve them in any way necessary.
Meet Xamiera Kippins, 23, West Bank Demerara
I view being an ambassador for Guyana to the rest of the world as a tremendous responsibility.
I know that as Miss Earth Guyana 2018 I, Xamiera Kippins can paint Guyana in a new light as well as make those who know not of who we are or what we have to offer as a country, aware or our potential.
I believe in the power of a beauty queen. Despite the name, beauty comes second. I am an advovate. An advocate for change and betterment in all aspects of life, to make our world a more peaceful place. I love Guyana and with humility, perseverance and a firm understanding of hard work as well as team work, I believe that I can do this.
