Some of the contestants during the swimsuit segment on April 24
Nineteen-year-old teacher-in-training Ava Hicks, a first-time pageantry contestant, won the hotly-contested Bartica Regatta pageant. She definitely took her platform “positively using your talent to enhance your future”, to heart. Taking the first runner-up spot was another teacher, Maria Rhius, who was sponsored by Bell’s Speed Boats. The second runner-up position went to 23-year-old Nikita LaRose, who was sponsored by Alakai Investment/Trading Company; and copping the third runner-up position was Ashley Ghanie, who was sponsored by Platinum Hotel and Bar.
Hicks also was adjudged Miss Photogenic, as well as Best Essayist. Rhius was awarded the title of Miss Congeniality; while Andrea DeFreitas won Best Gown, and La Rose Miss Body Beautiful. The Best Talent prize was copped by Donna Boyal.
The pageant commenced at about 21:30h with an introductory dance by the contestants. This was followed by the introduction segment, which left many gawping, since some of delegates were evidently diamonds in the rough in terms of poise and eloquence.
The talent segment was less than stellar, but one of the high points of the pageant was the swimsuit segment, which saw the nine delegates decked each in a two-piece white swimsuit that had the crowd cheering.
And it just got better. The five thousand-odd patrons were stunned when the girls made their way to the stage in their spectacular gowns for the evening gown segment.
In the Final Question segment, the third runner-up, Ashley Ghanie, was the talk of the show, since she was unable to answer the question posed to her by fashion designer Sonia Noel. She repeatedly asked the judge to repeat the question, and eventually went back to her spot without giving an answer. The first runner-up’s answer was the crowd’s favourite, and she definitely was one of the most eloquent of the delegates.
The queen won several prizes, including a computer from the Tourism Ministry, a trip to Brazil, gold jewellery, spa treatment, and $100,000 cash. The first runner-up’s prizes include one MP3 Player, spa treatment, complete outfit, gold jewellery, a three-night stay at the Baganara Resort, and 75,000 cash. Among the second runner-up prizes were gold jewellery, beauty hampers, DVD Player and $50,000 cash. The third runner-up received a CD collection, beauty hampers, and $25,000 cash among other prizes. All the other contestants received a cash voucher of 10,000 each and bouquets.
The queen told Guyana Times International that she was confident that she would have won the pageant. She also said that she was elated to keep the crown in the family and follow in the footsteps of her sister, who won the title last year. First runner-up Maria Rhius stated that the pageant was competitive and she was gracious in defeat.
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