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And despite being the first delegate in the line-up which some persons in the audience thought would have placed her at a disadvantage, W/LCPL Marks, exuding utmost confidence said, “ The unit is tasked with medically examining all prospective employees as well as members of the Force, supporting medical outreach operations and conducting health education workshops. The unit also coordinates blood donation drives and offers voluntary counseling and testing for HIV/AIDS."
At this point, the rapturous applause from the audience resulted in the delegate having to pause briefly, before going on to say, “I would like to see more females embracing the new task given to the unit, that is involvement in promoting abstinence and healthy living, and counseling of persons who are either at risk or infected with HIV/AIDS.”
On completion of her answer it was clear that the other delegates would have had to be flawless to beat her.
The Queen also carted away two of five special awards that were up for grabs, `Miss Best Talent’ and `Miss Best Smile’, while `Miss Best Gown’ was won by W/CPL Susan Parkinson, 27, Miss Air Corps and the `Miss Congeniality’ Award, which is voted for by the delegates themselves, going to W/LCPL Latoya Henry, 22, Miss Ordnance Corps and Miss Best Physical Fitness, W/LCPL Monica Welcome, 23, Miss 4 Engineer Battalion
The other delegates who participated were were W/OR (Ordinary Rating) Valeo Griffith, 23, Miss Coast Guard; W/LCPL Irma Adrian, Miss Training Corps; W/LCPL Sharon Small, 27, Miss Base Camp Stephenson; W/CPL Daphne McCurchin, 25, Miss G2 Branch; W/CPL Teshenia McAlmont, 28, Miss 31 Special Forces Squadron; W/PTE Samantha Benton, 22, Miss Agriculture Corps; W/LCPL Nicola Leitch, 26, Miss Band Corps; and W/CPL Vanessa Skeete, 25, Miss Signal Department.
Among those in the audience were Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier General Edward Collins, his second in command, Colonel Lawrence Paul; Director of Prisons, Dale Erskine; serving head of the WAC, Lieutenant Colonel (Lt. Col.) Windee Algernon; ex-officers and non-commissioned ranks of the WAC, including former head Lt. Col Christine King; W/Major (Retired)Michalene Wilson; Ex-woman Warrant Officer Class 11 ( retired) Margaret (Maggie) Arthur; and other officers of the GDF; and Ms. Veronica Primo, representing the ex-GDF Association of New York and Ms. Ingrid King representing the Canada Chapter and serving male and female officers of the Army.
The judges were Misses Nevillean Dundas, Vivienne Daniels, Kim Kyte-John, Denise Maltay, Beverly Gomes –Lovell ( Chief Judge)and Messrs Nigel Niles and Reginald Brotherson.
The Miss GDF Pageant, which took place after a hiatus of 31 years, commenced on January 31, part of the activities to observe the 40th Anniversary of the Women’s Army Corps which was formed on February 6, 1967.
The uniqueness of the pageant was that it was not about beauty, but rather an organized showcase of the physical fitness, marksmanship, skills, talent, poise, elegance and eloquence of a military woman.
The delegates, most of them mothers, spent nearly three months learning the rudiments of modelling and public-speaking, under the watchful eyes of Prowell and Ms. Ingrid Fung.
The Competition commenced on January 31 with a target shoot competition where delegates were given 10 rounds each to fire at targets placed 100 metres away.
This was followed by a Talent Segment, where the delegates demonstrated their skills in song, dance, dramatic poetry and playing a musical instrument.
It was at this segment that W/LCPL Mark dressed like an African warrior complete with face paint, sword, and dance movements.
Giving a good account of herself too was W/CPL Parkinson whose rendition of Alicia Keyes song “If I ent got you”, could have qualified her for a local `Grammy Award’ and even make Keyes herself envious.
Next was the Physical Fitness competition, where the delegates underwent a three-mile combat run, navigated an obstacle course, competed in a falling plate shoot and participated in grenade throwing. This segment carried 75 per cent of the overall scores which, when counted with the opening swimwear segment,saw the final five delegates being chosen.
The events of pageant commenced with a welcome by Coordinator of the WAC anniversary activities, W/Captain Lorraine Garraway, followed by the delegates doing an opening dance in beautiful off-shoulder mini dresses after which they individually introduced themselves.
Then came the Swimwear segment in which the delegates chose to wear either bikini or a full-fitted pieces. This segment evoked much excitement in the audience and truly hyped them for the remainder of the event.
And for the Evening Gown Segment, the delegates,all looking splendid in their chosen outfits against a fittingly-designed stage, had as their escorts male soldiers dressed in ceremonial wear.
Lending flair to the evening were performances by the GDF Frontline Band, a display by male bodybuilders of the GDF and ballroom dancing by Marlon and Julie Wong of the Georgetown School of Dancing.
Emcees (MCs) for the night were W/Lieutenant N. Lewis of the GDF and journalist Mondale Smith.