This is the time of the year when two of the most prestigious pageants
are held. But this year for the first a pageant of distinction will play out
at the Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts. We say a pageant of distinction
because for the first time it is a pageant for children hosted by children.
According to the organizers, Concerned Belizean Women, the young girls are not
participating necessarily to win the title of Independence Day Junior Miss Pageant
but the proceeds raised will be used to help feed their peers who cannot afford
a meal when at school. Today 7News caught up with the seven young contestants
as they rehearsed.
The contestants are: Renisha Martinez, 8 years old; Marsha
Robateau, 9 years old; Shantay Zetina; Tamara Hemsley, 11 years old; Tamia Murillo,
11 years old; Kiana Flowers, 9 years old; and Leshane Tillett, 11 years old.
Birdie Francis, Organizer
“If we could do this every year and we raise enough money, I am hoping
the public will say we can count on them because we would like to make enough
money, there are four schools mentioned on the south side that need money for
their breakfast program and if we can give each school a $1,000 we would love
that but we have ton have the public support. So if the public would say we
can count on them, then we will raise that money.
…because they are hyper and its hard to keep their attention so we
have our hands full to try to keep them busy so they don’t goof around
because they’ll tease one another and run around. So it is a little bit
challenging but they learn and they are having fun.
The children are going to be competing in three categories. But first they
will come out with an opening production which is a march and dance to the Tenth
Day of September and then after that they come out in district costumes. We
have 7 kids; 6 are representing the six districts of Belize and one is representing
Ambergris Caye. They are going to be dressed in costume and after they model
their costume, they are going to give a hundred word or less speech called the
platform statement, something about the district they are representing or that
caye. They are going to inform, it is an informative pageant also and you’ll
be educated in this pageant.
After that we’ll have to have the evening gown where they are going
to come out in their evening gown and I am sure that everybody will like it.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
“Azizi you’re the only Belizean child so far to have had the opportunity
to participate in an international pageant. In this it was in 2008, you were
actually crowned, that pageant took place in Santo Domingo and you were actually
crowned Mini-Universe. What advice do you have for your peers who will be taking
part in this upcoming pageant?”
Azizi Hoy,
“Well I want to tell them to always try their best because they are
coming out for our country and our country is very special to all the Belizeans
so it doesn’t matter what, just go out there and try to do their best.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
“You have 25 years of experience working with children, what you think
of all the kids you see on stage?”
Birdie Francis,
“I think they are doing well, very well. Kids catch on real fast.
To tell the truth sometimes when I am training kids they catch on faster than
the adults, when I teach adults.”
And while the young contestants will be awarded with prizes adults
and children planning on attending the event can also win simply by coming to
the pageant in a costume or native outfit. The Independence Day Junior Miss
Pageant gets underway at 7 on Saturday night at the Bliss Centre. Tickets are
available at the Bliss.
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