Entrants for Miss Cayman 2000Contestants Meet
At the Grand Old House reception were: (front,left to right) Pageant Chairperson, MLA Heather Bodden, JoninaSwanson, Sasha Pierson, Jacqueline Bush, Oneisha Richards andElizabeth Hennings. At the rear: Committe Member and former MissCayman Audrey Bodden, Miss Cayman 1998 Gemma McLaughlin and MissCayman 1999 Mona Lisa Tatum.
A total of six young ladies have respondedto the call for contestants in this year's Miss Cayman Islandspageant. The ladies are Oneisha Richards (22 years old), SashaPierson (21), Jonina Swanson (18), Beth Henning (21), JacquelineBush (24) and Maxine Bodden (24).
The potential contestants were guests of honour at a familiarizationreception at the Grand Old House on Thursday, 7 June. There, theywere presented with the rules and regulations for contestants.They were also given first-hand information on the pageant duringtestimonials from reigning Miss Cayman Islands Mona Lisa Tatum,and Miss Cayman Islands 1998-99 Gemma McLaughlin.
They heard of the rigorous training schedule and the weeks andmonths of preparations, as well as of the black tie ball, shoppingtrips, visits to Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, and the many publicappearances.
The Miss Cayman Islands prize-package includes a US$75,000 scholarship,a new car, wardrobes for the Miss Universe and Miss World pageants,and other perks. Miss Cayman will also have the opportunity torepresent the Cayman Islands as an ambassador and tourism spokespersonduring the year.
The Hon. Thomas Jefferson, whose ministry is responsible for thepageant, said, "One significant change this year is thatthe first runner-up will also be given a CI$5,000 scholarship,in addition to a cruise for two and other prizes. This is in keepingwith both the needs of our young women, as well as the pageant'sfocus on education as well as beauty." The second runner-upwill receive a trip for two to London and other prizes.
Miss Cayman Committee Chairperson Heather Bodden, welcomed theyoung ladies, and assured them of the full support and encouragementof her committee. She also reinforced the Minister's statement,noting that a significant portion of the final score in the pageantis based on the contestants' knowledge and responses to questionsand interviews.
This is the second year of Miss Bodden's leadership of the pageantsince government obtained the franchise four years ago. Previouschairpersons were Theresa Pitcairn and Edna Moyle.
The current members of the volunteer committee are Wanda Ebanks,Lennon Christian, Anita Law, Philip Barnes, Lovenia Ebanks, NikkiConnolly, Patricia Ulett, Charles Clifford, Kimberly Owens, LizWalton, Brenda Archer, Audrey Ebanks, Thora Crighton, Lyn Baldwin-Bodden,Crosby Solomon, Letitia Solomon and Betty Wood.
Contestants have until Monday, 12 June, to enter this year's MissCayman Islands pageant, which is scheduled for Saturday, 23 September.