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Miss Guyana World: Delegate #5 Utieka John

Utieka John
Miss Guyana World Delegate #5 Utieka John

Platform: Women and education

Biography: Life is full of surprises and everything happens for a reason; whether good or bad. For every bad thing, expect something good and for every good thing, expect something GREAT! This motto supports my philosophy of life.

Born on the 18th of May, 1991 to Nicole Williams and Llewellyn John this Taurus Gem has grown to become a beautiful, confident, vibrant, energetic and self determined individual who finds comfort in helping young children and motivating others to achieve their goals. I possess a strong determination to distinguish myself from the ordinary and become a catalyst for change.

My formal education began at the Head Start Nursery School, then to Sacred Heart Primary School where I gained a position at Saint Joseph High School after writing the Secondary School Entrance Examination. After completing CSEC and graduating with distinction I attended the Bishops’ High School where I gained my Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Diploma. I am currently pursuing studies at the University of Guyana in History. This move takes me one step closer to fulfilling my desires making my life -long dream a reality. My dream and aspiration is to become an Attorney-at-Law in an effort to help to rid the world of injustice.

Apart from being an optimist and bursting at the seams with the love of life, I marvel in the joy of meeting and interacting with new persons and if chosen to represent Guyana would value the privilege of being able to see the world through different cultures. I possess an innate love for singing, dancing, modeling, meeting interesting people, reading romance novels, listening to music and hanging out with my friends. I try my best to be involved in community activities and enjoy helping my peers! My involvement in community activities has placed me among other individuals who believe in the greater good of seeing others excel. Continue reading “Miss Guyana World: Delegate #5 Utieka John”

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Miss Guyana World: Delegates #6 Siestra Allen

Siestra Allen
Miss Guyana World Delegate #6 Siestra Allen

Platform: Changing the Role of Teenage Girls

Autobiography: Blessed with Dutch names – Seistra Thremiel Allen was born on July 29, 1993 to Zilda Heywood-Smith and Jerome Allen. She was cherished and loved by her family who told her she’s beautiful and spoke of the joy that she brought to them.

At age 11 Ms. Allen migrated to Barbados in the eastern Caribbean where she continued her Primary Education at the Hindsbury School. There, she faced tremendous pressure from her peers as they made a mockery of her Guyanese accent which led her to be very reserved. But, that didn’t stop her passion for singing and dance which she did at Church.

She then sat the Common Entrance Eleven Plus Examination giving her the opportunity to attend a school named after one of Barbados’ Prime Ministers and currently the name of their International Airport “Grantley Adams Memorial School”. There Seistra came into to her own, topping her class and a held a major role in the theatre arts group. Seistra made a bold step to sit the English Language and Social Studies CSEC Examinations in Third form, gaining passes in both subjects. In her fourth year she was named the school Deputy Head Girl and recently graduated with the Valedictorian honour and held the award of Best Graduating Student in her theatre arts class. Continue reading “Miss Guyana World: Delegates #6 Siestra Allen”

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Jovan Wilson aiming for second crown in 2011

Miss Guyana Jamzone - Jovan Wilson

Many of you may remember this ‘dark horse’ who eliminated her competition on Independence Night to claim the title of Miss Guyana Jamzone 2011. Well, this Berbician beauty, presently in Antigua competing in the Miss Jaycees Caribbean Queen show is also making preparations to represent Guyana at the upcoming Miss Jamzone International 2011 pageant.

This talented 21 year old enjoys fishing, modeling, hospitality research, photography and reading. Wilson attended the New Amsterdam Multilateral School, where she secured nine subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examinations. She also obtained an Associate’s Degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management from the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College based in Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

Wilson explained that since it is her first International pageant, she intends to use the Miss Jaycees Queen Show as a stepping stone and apply the knowledge and experience gained to hopefully win her second crown for 2011.
Jovan would like the general public to continue supporting her as she enters this new venture.

By – Hits and Jams Entertainment

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Road Carnage on Homestretch Avenue

Now where do Guyanese drivers get off killing others?! It absolutely sickens us here at GuyanaLive.com to see the brash consequences of senseless driving, administrative duties and policing on our small and few roadways.

Let us take this most recent accident (though it should not be called an accident if the driver is consciously reckless), into consideration. The media says that five persons have died so far and about 7 others are injured severely. The details are that a Route 48 (Stabroek to Sophia) minibus was speeding west along Homestretch Avenue, when a tire blew out upon its attempt to overtake another vehicle heading in the same direction. The minibus catapulted, toppled and skidded several times, viciously throwing glass, metal and humans around, before coming to a halt, pinning a few patrons under its mangled shell. Now we see quite a few things completely wrong with this story.

  • It is a fact that Homestretch Avenue makes little provision for overtaking unless the vehicle attempting to do so remains entirely within its lane, since there are double solid lines imprinted throughout the carriageway. Anyone who successfully completed the Driver’s License Theoretical Examination should know and remember this, but it seems we do not care.
  • It is our knowledge that any driver should have at least three years of driving experience before embarking to take control of a public minibus (or taxi) for daily use. If that is so, how are 20 year olds becoming drivers of minibuses when we in Guyana acquire our Driver’s License at 18 years of age? Absurd is the only word we can summon!
  • That previous point makes us think (with disgust) at our Police Force and Administrative bodies. How can one sleep at night with the full knowledge that they have awarded a driver’s license to someone who is incompetent? Does money really outweigh the many lives that have been snuffed from local beings? Additionally, when the Traffic Police stops someone on the roadways who they think has committed an infraction; they should be penalized to the fullest extent of the law every time. Yes, we do agree that the bribes are attractive at times, but know this traffic officers; every time you take a bribe or ask for one you sell a bit of your soul! That may be why some of you are so cold and arrogant.
  • Patrons and commuters, this last point is for you and we at GuyanaLive.com ask that you implement and maintain two very important things. First, if you are traveling in a minibus (or taxi) and you feel uncomfortable because of the loud and offensive music, speeding or daring roadway tricks, please demand that the driver cease with immediate effect. If he or she declines then disembark the vehicle at once. If they refuse to stop, you are being kidnapped and you can file a formal police report (even though the police may do nothing); this is an appeal to everyone, young or old, male or female, affluent or struggling. Then, to those of us who are drivers, we ask that you abide by the traffic laws of this majestic country of ours. We at GuyanaLive.com will be the first to say that we occasionally were caught up and influenced into acting reckless or stupid on the roadways, but that will no longer happen. We urge you to stay in your correct lane, wait for the traffic lights and look out for pedestrians and cyclists. Imagine rushing to a million dollar meeting but never making it because you were arrogant enough to think that speeding will make things better. We were never a naïve and dense nation, please let that remain.

 

By – Patrice Wishart

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Hikers Hockey Junior Development Program – Travon Younge and Jamarj Assanah for three week Stint in Trinidad & Tobago

From left: Trevon Younge and Jamarj Assanah of Hikers Hockey Club
From left: Trevon Younge and Jamarj Assanah of Hikers Hockey Club

The Hikers Hockey Club, junior development program realized one it’s main goals this week, when it partnered with Queen’s Park Hockey Club of Trinidad & Tobago to enable two of it’s most promising young players to compete in the Trinidad & Tobago outdoor leagues.

Extended overseas stints with foreign clubs was one of the recommendations made by the junior players themselves at a junior development camp held by the club last year. However this particular project was the brainchild of long time Hikers member Jerazeno Bell who now resides in the twin island republic and competes for Queen’s Park. The two players who will benefit form this project are Jamarj Assanah and Travon Younge, both players will be training and competing with Queen’s Park on artificial turf for a three week period. The players arrived in Trinidad on Thursday morning and are scheduled to play their first matches this weekend.

The Hikers Hockey Club intends to make this project an annual event, where promising junior players are given the opportunity to train and compete abroad during the summer school break.

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CARICOM DAY 2011: Kes and The Band thrill Guyanese fans

Kes

Despite the slush mud that saw many fans partying from the safety of the seawalls, Guyanese sure love them some Kes and teh Band. On Caricom evening into the next early morning hours thousands graced the Pegasus parking lot for some ‘wotles soca theraphy’ and they sure got their fill. From gong to gong the entertainment event promoted by AnSa McAl’s Carib Beer proved a multicultural delight with local acts such as Shelly G (one time soca Monarch) and Mahendra RamKellawan (reigning Road March King) and his dancers.

Shelly G was her ever raunchy self dishing songs such as ‘Touch Me here’ while Ramkellawan was a spicy hot showcase of chutney Guyanese style. Hut he obviously forced the sounds of his many popular chutney songs as was evident from the sometimes cracky sound of his voice declaring that even when he going to church ‘dem ah watche me’. But that was just the calm before the storm as Adesh Samaroo (TT chutney monarch 2004) proved his dominance as a professional chutney singer with quite a few samples of his hits such as ‘cyaan go fuh cane’, and ‘Rajin’ etc as well as ‘scorpian sting meh’. Then came time for the night’s feature act: Kes and the band! Many lost their inhebitions when the contagious sound of ‘Ah wotless’ signalled the ushering in of a dread locked soca sensation- Kes.

First came his dancers doing their thing. Then came Kes came on and expressed gratitude to Banks and was glad that he was performing in Guyana yet again in less than a year. The dude with dread locks who incidently is a sticker for education belted out hit after hit from his catalogue as well as several covers from the more popular artistes with his dancers providing energetic routines with each beat. But that was just teh beginning as teh Crow in VIP and General audience couldent care less that mud was under their feet or that teh plyboard set up could give way… thank goodness it didn’t. but Kes and his band proved that they are more than just soca singers as they moved from ‘Wine to the side’ to singing covers from Sean Paul and other Jamaican artistes. Another highlight of the evening was the conclusion of the ‘Carib Domination’ promotion. Five Carib patrons won fabulous prizes such as an ipod, a Flat plazma screen television,a motor scooter and the main prize of a new Toyota Allion.

Robert Calendar of Thomas Street, Kitty who bought his carib from Swet point was luckiest of teh lot while Meenamattie Ramlall won herself a motor scooter, Bridgelall Monilall won a laptop computer, Dorwin Holder won the LCD flatscreen television and Karen Rampersaud won herself an Apple iPod.Back to the Concert: Kes created a mad frenzy when he dished out covers from Ravi B, SuperCat whom he said was way before Sean paul, Machel Montano, and many other artistes.several ladies got a chance to show what Guyanese women are made of too and of course Kes used the song ‘tall thing short thing, I wining up on all thing, fat thing slim thing i wining up on everything…” But while the slim ones were most entertaining Kes sure got his Guyanese wine from a Buxsome Guyanese woman weighting more than 250lbs whom he hoisted unto his hips and she sure was an agile fan. But even before that, Kes aside from telling his fans that he wants to develop a relationship with his Guyanese fans, showed his love for GT people. After several calls from one female fan the superstar in the making jumped off the stage and to the barriers he went. There he got some reall Guyanese love as omen grabbed and pawed at his physique from every angle while others simply went crazy with screams of wild abandon from touching his dread locks.

The show was high energy from start to finish and wen he was done he had shed all the layers of his upper clothing. But it’s not over for Guyanese fans as the artiste is ready and willing to return to the local shores yet again once he is booked to perform. At the show’s conclusion there was hardly anyone with dry clothing exiting the venue and while most must have had quite a job of cleaning mud from their footwear they sure had a blast from Kes and teh Band compliments of Carib-the Beer of the Caribbean. Also in attendance were teh delegates of the Miss Guyana Universe who obviously had a blast.

By Mondale Smith, Production Manager BTV

 

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Miss Jamzone International 2011: Caribbean Splendor Reloaded!

Miss Guyana Jamzone Jovan Wilson
Miss Guyana Jamzone: Jovan Wilson

Miss Jamzone Guyana 2011, Jovan Wilson has been crowned and congratulated, but the journey has only just begun. Training has intensified ten fold to ensure that our local representative is prepared for the upcoming Miss Jamzone International 2011, where she will meet and compete against a capable assembly of delegates from across the Caribbean region!

The lineup this year has been extended to a whopping eleven delegates in comparison to the subsequent eight, due to the overwhelming feedback we have received from a multitude of countries from around the world. It is obvious that our pageant has attained a national reach since multiple applications were sent from countries including the USA, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Uruguay, Colombia and even Canada as all pageants go everyone couldn’t make the cut. However, the committee is quite confident in the selected group of incredibly skilled, competent young women who are sure to make this year’s pageant an unforgettable event.

The lineup includes several University students, a News reporter and News Anchor all of whom are well versed in pageantry with very impressive portfolios. Our delegates hail from Dominica, Jamaica, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua, Barbados, St Lucia, Suriname, St Kitts and Nevis, Brazil and of course, Guyana. These young ladies will compete in the intelligence, swimsuit, fantasy, beach wear, evening gown and cultural presentation segments for an astounding reward of USD$10,000 in cash, a dazzling crown and rights to the throne!

The Miss Jamzone International Pageant in its second year of existence features as part of the Jamzone Summer Break Weekend, an annual calendar in Guyana. This year Jamzone will feature ten days of fun-packed activities inclusive of jazz and food festivals, sports tournaments and several Super Concerts featuring some of the biggest local, Caribbean and International acts.

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Vanilla Tops UWI

Vanilla and Crew Members at UWI

Three time Road March Queen Melissa “Vanilla” Roberts and Kross Kolor Label artiste has topped the class of the 2011 Motion Picture Arts course at The Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Studies UWI Cave Hill Barbados campus. Vanilla who was offered a scholarship at the institution commenced studies in January this year and completed the six months full time certificate course ahead of everyone else. In addition to being the best graduating student, she was the only student to have completed and handed in all assignments. Her screen play entitled “The Broken Triangle” was judged the best screen play submitted and the silent movie “The Fight” in which she played the leading role and edited was adjudged the best silent movie.

In addition to the above she was second AD (Assistant Director) for the movie “Sweet Bottom” shot as part of this year’s program and second Assistant Director and actress in the sizzle reel for “Bajan Blue” a television series to be shot at the end of this year in Barbados.

Kross Kolor Records takes this opportunity to congratulate Vanilla on her achievements and to acknowledge that she is continuing the tradition of excellence at the label. kross Kolor Records would also like to say a great big thank you to Digicel and the Ministry of Public Service Management for their significant contribution towards Vanilla’s attendance.

 

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Olive Gopaul Show to be Launched Wednesday June 1st, 2011

Olive Gopaul Show Logo

One week after the American queen of daytime talk show vacated the screen, Guyanese aspiring talk show presenter, Olive Gopaul will launch the Olive Gopaul Talk Show – a unique, classy and stylist talk show – here in Guyana.

 

The show, which is a production of Olive Nalini Gopaul Productions [O.N.G. Productions], will feature a range of topics of interest to the Guyanese viewing and listening public both locally and in the Diaspora. Areas to be focused on in the first three months include: challenges of the modern family, healthy living, Guyanese inspirational personalities, courtship and marriage, fashion.

The show is recorded before a live audience, and will be divided into four seasonal productions per year, each season comprising of 36 shows to be aired three times per week.

On Wednesday June 1st at the Duke Lodge at 6:30pm in Kingston there will be a Red Carpet Launch and Preview of the talk show before special invitees.

Ms. Gopaul is a former Miss Guyana beauty queen, former television news anchor, and one of the hosts of the Lotto draws.

– An ONG Production

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Guyana Baboo – Terry G in Top 15

Terry GTrinidad International Chutney Competition

After a grueling Semi Final round at the Rienzi complex in Couva, and 4 intense days of both online and text voting for the BMobile Wildcard that accumulated more than 26,000 votes, the names of the 15 finalists are finally in and  a Guyanese is among the lot.

For the first time in the competition’s history a Guyanese has reached the finials of the Trinidad International Chutney Monarch Competition. His is the lone Guyanese that is still in the 2011 competition from a field of more than 120 entries including Guyanese Adrian Dutchin and Mahendra Ramkellawanlall.  Dutchin did not make the first cut but Ramkellwan and Terry G did but after another cut that has brought the list down to 15 the lone Guyanese representative is the Guyana Baboo Terry Gajraj.

To him its an honor to be in this line-up especially since he is putting Guyana on the forefront in the line of chutney entertainment. His Semi final performance was a Bollywood spectacle with his dancers & actors to the song Sumatee for which more props and story line will be added for the finals. The song which is fast gaining recognition on the local, T&T & North America airwaves was produced by Big Rich Out of the T&T with a guest appearance by Ravi B in the song.

Terry G is calling on all Guyanese to give him the support as we puts Guyana on show at this prestigious annual competition by voting online & or text messages at http://www.simplyvote.net/csm/  or www.ChutneySocaMonarch.com .

Terry Gajraj code name is TGA and Entertainer is encouraging all as true Guyanese to vote TGA for the “Guyana Baboo” who’s representing Guyana all the way.

Reports are that once he wins Terry pledges that he will donate $2Million to charity for kids in Guyana & Trinidad. The first prize is $2M T&T Dollars

It should be noted that the 2011 edition has been the best Semi Final in the history of the competition, not only from the level of the production of the event, but also from the level of performances delivered by all 41 contestants.

This gave the judges the hard task of having to pick 14 from the pack of 41, while the last person earned a place via the online, International and local text votes.

The 15 finalist in the ‘Race for 2 Million’ are scheduled to compete at Skinner Park, San Fernando on Saturday February 19.