Though threatenedby the season's first storm, Miss Teen and Miss Cayman Islands'sbeauty...
'Reigned'Over Chantal
TropicalStorm Chantal churned through the Caribbean but its threats wereinsufficient a distraction here as this nation celebrated thereign of a new teen beauty and continued to admire divas for thesenior version, Miss Cayman Islands.
Miss Teen 2001Tekira Ramoon flanked by First Runner up Danielle Ebanks (right)and Second runner-up Lysha Wong
As the storm howled and rained on neighbouringJamaica Saturday night and aimed for here, 16-year-old TekiraElizabeth Ramoon strutted her stuff and walked away with the crownfor Miss Teen Cayman Islands at the Lions Center.
She was followed as Second Runner Up byDanielle Ebanks with Lysha Wong being Third Runner Up.
Meanwhile the five Miss Cayman Islands hopefulscontinued to make appearances as they get ready for their 8 Septemberdate when one will wear the crown.
The attitude and events of the weekend servedto show the Caymanian psyche.
Although not in any way underrating thestorm and being ill prepared for it, the Cayman approach was thatwhether the storm comes or goes, our natural resources like thesesbeauties, will be there for us to admire and pay homage.
When Tekira spoke to Cayman Net News Mondaymorning she made no mention of the impending storm on her luckyweekend, just that excitement of the Friday night before leadingup to the big day, her nervousness as she fielded questions froma panel of judges Saturday morning and the joy along with thesense of achievement about 11:30 the night when her name was announcedas this nation's new teen beauty.
Miss CaymanIslands 2001 Contestants appear as follows: Melanie McField,
Shannon McLean, Danielle Conolly (back), Cindy Braggs and TessaRyan
She emerged from a field of five young beautiesand this charmer says that the three months of practice and hardwork leading up to the pageant have made them all the better forknowledge and confidence.
"It was rewarding. It gave us a chanceto get to know each other," she said of the experience andthe interaction with the other contestants who have all pledgedto remain in contact as friends.
"I have learned. I have more confidenceand I have truly become stronger."
Tekira also earned the Best Smile and wasnamed Miss Personality. Danielle Ebanks glided away with the BestGown prize and was Miss Photogenic. The Most Talented was JosefaMartinez.
Since their recent debut at the gala, blacktie bash at the Hyatt Hotel, contestants for the senior CaymanIslands beauty title have been busily honing skills and talents,setting their sights on the big night when the initiation of anew period in life will begin for one of these lucky young ladies.
The Miss Cayman Islands Pageant has beenone of the most prestigious pageants held here in the Cayman Islands.This contest serves to introduce young women not only for theirbeauty but also for their intelligence, talent, charm and personality.
This year there are 5 contestants vyingfor this title and one of them will walk away not only with thecrown but also with the opportunity to be an ambassador for theseislands.
Those vying for the crown are 20-year-old'Bracker' Tessa Ryan, 23-year-old Cindy Braggs, 24-year-old MelanieMcfield, 23-year-old Shannon McLean, and 17-year-old DanielleConolly.