`Beauty lies within the heart'
- Miss Guyana African Heritage


Guyana Chronicle
December 19, 1999


WHEN 19-year-old Shauna Jemmott entered the Miss Guyana African Heritage Pageant a few short weeks ago, her aim was two-fold: to win the crown, and, by so doing, help to preserve the African heritage in Guyana.

That she persevered after succumbing to influenza during the last week of rehearsals and was crowned queen from a bevy of 11 African beauties, is testimony to the faith she had in herself and the sense of commitment she had to her sponsor - Acme Photo Studio - and supporters.

"I did not realise how many people were behind me. I could not let them down," she said in an interview.

And, after thrilling the National Cultural Centre crowd with her striking outfits and medley of songs, the young reporter was sashed queen in the wee hours of last Sunday morning.

The first runner-up was Shammane Joseph of Hope Town, West Coast Berbice, who also won the `Best Smile title; second runner up was Jonelle David of Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, Berbice who also won the `Best Model' prize. Third runner-up was Angela Garraway, also of Stanleytown, New Amsterdam.

Shauna also won prizes for the best gown and best talent piece.

Her success, she said, stemmed from the confidence she has built up over the short period she has been a journalist.

The fourth of five children, Shauna hails from a highly Afro-centric background. It is no wonder then that she perfected the art of drumming, singing and dancing to outdo her competitors.

She remembered vividly as a child growing up at Two Friends, Anns Grove, East Coast Demerara, when family members would gather to celebrate African history.

"I would beat the drums," she recalled.

"I really wanted to get into the pageant because it gives young people lots of opportunities to meet different people and to learn a lot about the heritage, that I wanted to know about", she remarked.

During her one-year reign, she intends to establish greater communication channels between Guyanese Africans and South Africans.

"People need to interact more to learn about their heritage," she insisted.

She also suggested that by way of communicating through penpals from South Africa and worldwide, Guyanese can learn more of their ancestry.

Fashion shows can also help cultivate this knowledge base for Guyanese African ancestry, Shauna contended.

"The African style of dressing is really beautiful," the Queen said.

The new queen plans to initiate a campaign to get street children off the roads.

She said this would be a perfect Christmas gift for them.

"Christmas is a time of joy, and these street children don't have anybody," she pointed out.

A Christmas concert for the children are also included in Ms. Jemmott's plan of activities.

As for her thoughts on beauty, Ms Jemmott says: "Beauty lies within the heart. If you think about yourself as being beautiful, others will think you are beautiful", she said confidently.

The budding journalist also has intentions of becoming a professional model.

Miss Jemmott won for herself a return trip to the U.S, Trinidad and Suriname, among other prizes.


A © page from:
Guyana: Land of Six Peoples