12 beauties vying for Miss Jamzone title
By Shauna Jemmott
Guyana Chronicle
July 18, 2004
ONE of 12 beautiful young ladies vying for the Miss Jamzone 2004 title will be crowned queen and handed the keys to a brand new $2M Honda Civic car after a series of competitions which ends next Sunday at Splashmins Fun Park and Resort, on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway.
This is the fourth year since the annual Miss Jamzone beach pageant is being staged at the fun park, but the second since a car has been given as first prize by Hits and Jams, the committee that organises the event.
The delegates are Karen Duke, Shelly Fullerton, Amanda Evans, Samantha Arthur, Cheris Katina Richards, Melissa Atwell, Alina Trotman, Patricia Herbert, Kavita Smith, Natasha Smith, Tatum Almetra Reis and Tianne Causeway.
Last week, the media had another opportunity to mingle and rap with the delegates when Hits and Jams Entertainment, the group promoting the beach pageant, hosted a press conference and offered gave the media and the delegates a peek at the vehicle at the Splashmins office on High Street, Georgetown.
All of the girls said they have their eyes set on the very attractive first prize and are working overtime to capture the crown and keys, and sit behind those wheels. They all seemed confident when it comes to filling the press in on their thoughts about anything, and probably everything.
The bevy of beauties already competed in their 'Elegantly Casual' outfits two weeks ago at Thirst Park, Ruimveldt and are all set for the "platform presentation" segment July 20.
Along with a few of the pageant’s committee members, members of the media and Ministry of Tourism Industry and Commerce Permanent Secretary Joseph Singh, the 12 ladies recently enjoyed an adventurous weekend at Iwokrama Rainforest in the North Rupununi District, sponsored by the Tourism Ministry.
Singh said many Guyanese complain that foreigners often get the opportunity to explore Guyana and experience its natural beauty, and offering the delegates in the Miss Jamzone pageant, which carries an eco-tourism theme, a first hand experience of the country’s tourism product was a move by the Ministry to informally employ the delegates as ambassadors to promote Guyana as a popular tourist destination.
The girls were able to experience the depth and resonance of wildlife so that they can spread the word to the patrons who are expected to go to the fun-filled Jamzone Summer Break on July 25 at Splashmins Fun Park and Resort on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway. The pageant will be the main event there.
Coordinator of the Miss Jamzone pageant Natheeah King said the pageant generally promotes eco-tourism, and it focuses mainly on fauna this year. Therefore, the national costume segment should display what Guyana offers in that area.
King said although it was unfortunate that the delegates did not gather enough information about the plant species found at Iwokrama, the trip was a very educational one and has exposed them to new knowledge about Guyana.
According to her, the experience of crossing the canopy walkway alone will last the delegates a lifetime.
“Time after time we would read about what Guyana has to offer… and we cannot afford to take ourselves there… the girls were given the opportunity to have a first hand experience of what Iwokrama rainforest is like and this has given them the ability to promote tourism, and Iwokrama in particular,” she said.
The journey to Iwokrama began at 6 o' clock one Saturday morning at the Ministry of Tourism, South Road Georgetown, with an exciting and adventurous eight-hour drive through the Georgetown to Lethem Road to the Kurupukari landing in the North Rupununi District, then cross the Essequibo river to the Iwokrama Rainforest Field Station, where we were all guests.
Taking boat rides, exploring rainforest trails, spying on wildlife, going on creatures of the night expeditions and getting up close and personal views of South American jungle king, the Jaguar, caimans, agouti, snakes, and birds of all colours and sizes were just a few of the exciting experiences the delegates had.
A visit to the newly established Turtle Mountain Base Camp enabled them the chance to interact with forest rangers and become more informed on wildlife and works of Iwokrama, before they enjoyed a most comfortable night rest in the jungle as the music of the wild whisper sweet lullaby songs in the length of the dark distance.
While most of the delegates said walking across the Canopy walkway some 35 m up through the treetops in the rainforest was the highpoint of their journey, others found the boat-rides on the Essequibo river, walking through the forest, listening to the insects and birds, learning about wildlife, or just enjoying the tranquility of the rainforest environment, most interesting. Some comments by the delegates on their trip to the Iwokrama Rainforest follow:
While the Jamzone queen will receive the car, the prize for the first runner-up is $70,000, second runner-up $40,000, and each non-finalist receives $10,000 cash. The girls will also be presented trophies, bouquets and other gifts.