Miss Cayman Islands pageant 2006

Stacey Ann Kelly the former Miss Cayman Islands
hands over the crown to Ambuyah Ebanks

The Pageant Contestants join Dance Unlimited in the
evening’s opening routine

The girls show off their glamorous evening wear

Ceretta & Jhaneille in the swimwear round

Selita Ebanks, Cayman’s own supermodel with a
supermodel of the future

Ceretta Harvey supported a beautiful shimmering
gown as well as a smile

The moment of glory for Ambuyah Ebanks, the New
Miss Cayman

2nd Runner up Jovani Hessing shows off her beautiful
gold gown

Friday,  February 24, 2006

The long awaited contest to crown the new Miss Cayman Islands for 2006 took place at the Lions Centre in George Town on Saturday 18 February. The centre was packed, and the audience clearly thrilled and excited to be there, as the evening began with the National Song.

The compére for the evening was Deon Mattis and the Master of Ceremonies was Joel Francis, who introduced the event’s judges, among them, Cayman’s own super model, Selita Ebanks. 

The audience exploded in applause as the contestants joined Dance Unlimited for the opening dance routine. All the contestants wore stunning black outfits with bright red sashes.

Minister for Tourism, Hon Charles Clifford, was invited on stage to give the opening remarks, before the contestants came onstage again, this time dressed in casual wear of their choice.

Jhaneille Ennis chose a stylish pair of shorts and a hat, while Ceretta Harvey chose white pants and bomber jacket. Arleth Chiari-Powery wore an eye-catching multi-coloured gipsy style top and skirt, and Ambuyah Ebanks’ bright suit was simply stunning.

Jovani Hessing chose a sophisticated white, full pant suit, and Marsena Hydes looked beautiful in a ragged-cut white dress.

Cayman’s very own diva, Karen Edie, came onstage to sing a special song, before Miss Teen Cayman Islands 2005-2006 appeared dressed in a long bright red satin dress, regally waving to the audience.

The girls from the Miss Cinderella beauty pageant paraded next, making a pretty picture as they all stood together.

The contestants returned to the stage dressed in swimwear next, before lining up before the judges.

Next, Local R&B singer Lonnie, (who has been likened to Cayman’s answer to Usher) came onstage singing a song he wrote himself, a love song to Miss Cayman, whoever she would turn out to be. 

The outgoing queen, Miss Stacey Ann Kelly, gave one final regal walk on stage as Miss Cayman Islands.

There was a final parade of the contestants wearing their evening gowns, before Lynne Whittaker, Chairperson of the 2006 Miss Cayman Islands Committee, gave the closing remarks on behalf of the committee. 

One of the celebrity judges for the event, Selita Ebanks, came onstage to greet everyone, and helped draw the Gate Prize, tickets to any Cayman Airways destination.

Before the crowning moment, the contestants answered the question: “What is the greatest challenge facing young people in the Cayman Islands? Their answers were thoughtful and confident, as they gave their advice on issues ranging from avoiding the pitfalls of involvement with drugs, as well as bad relationships. The contestants agreed that a high sense of self-worth, and knowing that young people’s lives are valuable and important, was a large part of the solution to these problems.

Ceretta Harvey won Miss Best Smile, an award resulting from the Miss Cayman Islands website. In addition to her trophy, she won a round trip to Miami. 

Jhaneille Ennis won Miss Personality, also winning a round trip to Miami, compliments of Cayman Airways.

Jovani Hessing won the Second Runner-Up trophy with a two-year scholarship to the University College of the Cayman Islands and a trip to any Cayman Airways Destination, compliments of the Ministry of Tourism.

Arleth Chiari-Powery won Miss Photogenic, (a round trip to Miami) and the First Runner-up trophy, a Two-Year UCCI Scholarship, and a trip to London.

Ambuyah Ebanks won Miss Best Legs (a round trip to Miami) and Best in Gown, before being crowned Miss Cayman Islands 2006, amid much excitement.

Later, in an interview with Cayman Net News, the new Miss Cayman Islands, Ambuya Ebanks, and First Runner-Up, Arleth Chiari-Powery, spoke of their excitement at winning first and second places in the pageant, and of their plans for the future.

Ms Ebanks said: “I am really looking forward to everything I’m going to be doing in the next year. I will be going to Miss Universe in May and Miss World in September.

Both agreed that they had formed a close friendship over the months of preparation for the pageant, and were looking forward to helping with local community-related projects together.

Miss Chiari-Powery is planning to enter the prestigious Miss Hawaiian Tropics pageant in Las Vegas. “I am going to go with her to support her,” Ms Ebanks said.

“Her and I will be working together. We both said to each other before the contest, whatever happens we’re still going to be friends. We still are and we’re going to be doing a lot of things together.

“My family is really excited, everybody was there, including my 85 year old grandmother, and my aunt flew in from Philadelphia. My dad, mom, brother and sister and all my friends were there; everyone is really excited and proud. It was an incredible experience, and one I will never forget. 

“I’d like to say a huge, ‘Thank-you’ to everyone that came out to support me. I’ll make you proud in everything that I do,” added Ms Ebanks.

Ms Chiari-Powery said: “I wasn’t upset. It was a tough competition and I had prepared myself mentally. What made it easier to accept was because we developed a bond, a real friendship, not just a ‘pageant friendship,’ so I’m really happy for her.

“I am proud of my accomplishment, and am looking forward to going to the Miss Hawaiian Tropic pageant in Las Vegas in April, and Ambuya is going to support me as a friend. I am going to support her at Miss Universe and Miss World.

“I just want to extend a warm thank-you to my family and friends for all their support, and I know to them, I will always be their ‘queen.’ I did my best, and I gave it my all, and that’s all that matters in the end.”

christopher@caymannetnews.com

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