Another Berbice lass cops a pageant crown
--Lovely Ginesta David is Miss Guyana African Heritage Queen 2003
Guyana Chronicle
October 2, 2003
IN A dazzling display of varied styles and rich exotic African-oriented wear and expressions of culture, the eighth Miss Guyana African Heritage Queen was crowned at the Pageant staged last Sunday night at the National Cultural Centre with the Berbice delegate emerging tops with the Queenship and almost all of the special prizes.
Delegate Number Ten, Ms Ginesta Aretha David, who is from Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, became the most recent young lady from the “Ancient County” -- Berbice to cop a major crown for the third straight consecutive time. Those before her won the Miss Guyana Universe and the Miss Guyana World crowns.
Ginesta, sister of Jonelle David, a former African Heritage second-runner-up and a Miss Guyana Universe delegate, wore the sash of Jonelle David Fashions of Berbice. Ginesta also earned the judges’ nod for five other Special Prizes, which were: Best Model, Best Gown, Best Casual Wear, Best Smile and Miss Photogenic.
The prize for the Best Talent Piece also went to another Berbician -- the tall, ebony, and sloe-eyed Omeanna Sharon Gilbert of Lichfield, West Coast Berbice. Omeanna was sponsored by the Dunstan Barrow Restaurant and Lounge of Linden, Region Ten.
The award for the Most Congenial Contestant, which was decided on by the delegates of the Pageant, went to Ms Yonette Ulander Pierre of West Bank, Demerara. Yonette also earned the third runner-up/alternate finalist spot.
The coveted Eldorado Golden Girl trophy, decided on by Lorri and Paula Alexander, the organisers and trainers of the annual Pageant, was awarded to Ms Nicola Veronique Witter of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown. According to the Alexanders, not only was Veronique the Most Disciplined Delegate, the attitudes and qualities she demonstrated during the training regimen makes her a wonderful role model for other young ladies in the society.
Gaining the recognition for the first runner-up/alternate spot was delegate Number11 Ms Meleesa Natasha Payne of Blygezight Gardens, Greater Georgetown. University of Guyana graduate and former Miss UGSS, Ms Kalecia Ayanna Liverpool of Meadowbank, East Bank Demerara emerged second runner-up/alternate.
The Miss Photogenic selection of Ginesta David was a most interesting affair with her being voted to that honour both by the public on a special Miss Photogenic T.V. Show hosted by Obrey James Studios of Station Street, Kitty and by the staff of Acme Photo Studio; both of which sponsors have arranged special photo packages for her victory and as well as for her winning of the top prize.
The Pageant night also characterised by numerous trophies and some Wynsinco beauty hampers. Paula and Lorri Alexander have indicated that the ceremony for the presentation of other prizes such as flight tickets for international destinations will take place a month hence.
The delegates introduced themselves when they appeared in Casual Wear. Then they performed a special “Open Sesame”
Arabian-Nights-oriented Dance that was choreographed by Director of the National Dance Company, Vivian Daniel. This presentation was loudly applauded for its energy, artistry and exotic aplomb. Finally, the contestants in Evening Wear, during which segment their questions and answers on a variety of “Matters African” were offered to an audience, which seemed appreciative of the plenty that was shared with them.
The queen from Trinidad and Tobago, Ms Chaka McDowell and the queen from Suriname Ms Joen Dojogo were also presented and brought greetings from their respective countries; while the Surinamese Miss Alida Queen, the corresponding Pageant there to the Miss African Heritage in Guyana, performed two special dances, representative of her community --the “Jukas” or “Bush Negroes”, one of which was done partially in a trance, much to the amazement of a most curious audience, obviously unused to such a display. Miss Alida organizers -- Mrs.Margo Kramp-Burgos and Cornelly Ensberg and T&T’s Pageant organisers, Cynthia Hosten and La Toya Carr also participated.
A frenetic African dance from the former Miss African Heritage, Marissa Primo (who also took her last walk and delivered her farewell speech and subsequently sashed and crowned her successor Ginesta); Drumology sessions from the young Primo Brothers (Marlon and Orlando) with their father - spiritualist and businessman Maurice Primo accompanying and guiding the rhythms with Shakas); and three power-packed performances from Buxton’s pride, the Divine Star Dancers and two from former NDS participant and young choreographer, Nedelya Roberts, were also part of an evening chockfull of African lore, music and haute couture.
Mrs. Paula Alexander, Jamaica-trained physiotherapist, keep-fit exponent and African design stylist, was the main Emcee for the evening, taking the audience through the varied styles of the delegates. The judges were Ms. Olga Britton, Craft Consultant and formerly of the Ministry of Education (Chief Judge); International Pageant exponent and care-giver, Ms. Negla Brandis; Former Chief Guyana Pilot and now Aeronautical Consulant, Egerton “Junior” Field: Ms Ramona Baxter, former African Heritage Pageant finalist and past President of the UG Student Society; and Mrs. Ann Green, Craft Consultant, formerly of the Regional Head of the Craft Division of the Ministry of Education.
The judges were unanimous in their decision as to the queen’s victory; with the audience also loud in their shouted decisions even before the announcements were made by co-emcee and pageant organizer Mr. Lorri Alexander, and vociferous in loud and long acclaim after.
In the end, Berbice was once again emerging tops in a major Pageant third time in a row.
One minute's silence was also observed in honour of the late former President Mr. H.D. Hoyte, former Prime Minister, Dr Ptolemy Reid and his wife; Maurice Fenty, former Pageant designer; Art Broomes, legendary drummer extraordinaire; Randolph Miggins, father of Pageant delegate Portia Clarke who died just days before the show and for the late great tennis icon, Althea Gibson who died just a day before.