10 | The Tribune | Weekend
Friday, June 15, 2018
pageants
New pageant seeks to reveal ‘beauty in peace’ Cornesha Colebrooke By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net
T
he Miss Bahamas Grand Pageant has made it its mission finally bring an international crown home to these shores. The organisation this week took a further step towards this goal by unveiling the contestants for its inaugural season, which is being held under the theme “Quest for Peace”. “On the international pageant stage, the Bahamas isn’t too high in ranking. Our goal as a franchise for the Miss Grand International Organisation is to nurse the pageant system in the Bahamas so that we can increase our ranking internationally and eventually bring a crown home,” said fashion designer Navado Dawkins, the pageant’s founder. The seven contestants vying for the title are Cornesha Colebrooke representing Andros; Alexandria Pennerman representing Eleuthera, Lakeira Wright representing Exuma, Moñice Nazon representing Grand Bahama, Jacoya McPhee representing Inagua, Sharnae Fernander representing San Salvador, and Dannise Bain representing New Providence. They made their debut during the official contestant launch and preliminary round at the Botanical Gardens. The finale will be held on Sunday, July 1, at the Meliá Nassau Beach AllInclusive resort. Mr Dawkins said they combining the themes of beauty and peace, because the focus of the organisation is to bring awareness to ending wars and violence around the world. “The Miss Bahamas Grand Pageant will host a beauty pageant annually with the mission of revealing the beauty in peace,” he said. “Many lives are affected by wars and violence, starting in the home, and we believe by addressing the matter with the support of the pageant will decrease crime, and that will eventually decrease wars and violence. Each contestant will choose a platform based on a specific
Alexandria Pennerman
Sharnae Fernander
Lakeira Wright
Dannise Bain
Jacoya McPhee
Moñice Nazon
type of violence and create speeches to speak to the public. This is a way of being a voice for the affected,” said Mr Dawkins. He is proud that is organisation is hosting its first full pageant this year. Last year, a casting call went out to help select the reigning Miss Bahamas Grand Bahamas Rejean Bosh. “We are one big family, and we help to polish each delegate into becoming a more sustainable, well-rounded and productive citizen, redefining charity and duty. When competing in
the Miss Bahamas Grand Pageant, delegates will be given countless opportunities, international exposure, quality training and breath-taking essential amenities to better mould each potential beauty ambassador into a better woman of purpose. (We are) involved with charitable entities, law enforcement agencies, speech and vocational workshops, leadership courses, and provide proper international pageant training,” said Mr Dawkins.
“I always had a passion for the betterment of individuals. Pageantry has been a passion of mine from I made my first gown as a fashion designer...I’m looking forward to the future.” Leading up to the pageant’s finale, there will be swimsuit, national costume and platform speech competitions. For more information, visit missbahamasgrand.org. The Miss Grand International pageant will be held in Myanmar on October 25.