By Tangerine Clarke
The Miss Guyana Organization has named the semifinalists who will vie in June for the Miss Guyana 2017 crown, and a “once in a lifetime opportunity to represent Guyana at the Miss World competition.”
The organization’s management said the 14 contestants are: Ashana Carrington, Nitifah Thompson, Alieca James, Sharda Pramdeo, Hemwantie Seodat, Ariell Ghanie, Nikesia Hussain, Thamesha Watson, Maria Fletcher, Vena Mookram, Manisha Mai-Lee Wong, Crystal Wills, Delisha Wright, and Joelly Valentine.
Miss Guyana Organization CEO Natasha Martindale said the semifinalists will present their platform and project to the public at the first-ever Beauty with a Purpose Fair on April 30.
The bevy of beauties will unveil a shared national campaign, titled “Self-Love GY,” in which the top 10 finalists will go on to represent Guyana’s 10 administrative regions.
Martindale said the contestants will be judged in Sports/Fitness, Multimedia, Talent, Top Model and Beauty with a Purpose categories. She said they will also be evaluated according to three scaled levels of competence, after which they will be interviewed “in order to further analyze the growth and strength of their communication skills.” The scores from this preliminary round of judging will be added to the contestants’ tally in the last round on coronation night.
Martindale said that of a total of 57 applicants, 32 passed the Miss Guyana personality test, with more than 75 per cent returning to attend one of two casting calls.
The Miss World Guyana competition encourages the personal and professional growth of young women, in addition to promoting of beauty and talent while affording contestants the opportunity to raise awareness on issues and causes affecting their communities.
