Takes home $600,000 in prizes
Kudos are in order for the comittee members of the Wakenaam Nite staged Saturday last at Wakenaam Community Centre and if all goes well it could become one of the main domestic tourists attractions to the
island.
Birthed out of a united community effort to build a pavillion while creating an awareness of what Wakenaam has to offer in an expo and fashion format the event started three years ago. Following this year’s staging it may best be described as entertaining, encouraging and funfilled. All told the event witnessed an attendance of more than 6000 enthusiastic patrons who got their monies worth and more. And while some may not be happy with the judges’ final decision, Wakenaam has got itself a new queen in the person of Cheka Paloma Kung-Beharry an Essequibo Island Secondary School beauty. She boasts a rich medical background and aspires to join the medical profession on completion of her studies. The queen also won special prizes for best dress and best smile. All told the queen got prizes amounting to almost $600,000 such as a trip to the Kaieteur Falls, Jeweller, hampers and cash. as well as a $125,000 scholarship from the soon to be registered Wakenaam scholarship Foundation. This monies would be paid to any institution
she so desires to pursue her educational development.
The 15-year-old who also won the best gown title was crowned queen from a line up of eight beauties who represented wards named after the Dutch such as Mariah Johanna, Sans Souci, Belle Plain, Noigedacht and
Zeelandia.
Celebrated by many teh queen was closely rivalled by crowd favourite University of Guyana student Tonnaisia Robertson of Maria Johanna who was a crowd favourite from start to finish. she made quite a first
impression but her competitive momentum weaned as the competition progressed. Many believed that Robertson had the edge and made no bones about it but the 19-year-old kept her smile and remained humble even after the final results were announced. Robertson got almost the similar amount of prizes as the queen but her education trust fund prize is valued at $75,000. Additionally she was dubbed the most
photogenic.
Natasha Nateram age 19, of Sans Sousci placed as the second runner up over Showana Spencer age 18 of Noitgedacht and they bagged many hampers and other prizes of Jewellery as well as educational trust
fund fees valued at $50,000 and $40,000 respectively.
As part of the night’s activities the mini expo included showcases of agricultural produce and pottery as well as food galore representing support from private and public sectors. In Georgetown and other parts
the many additional entertainment may have been considered a bit too stretched out but not for the residents of Wakenaam. From Indian to African to a sprinkling of modern dances and fashion displays of
afrocentrick garb and a platoura of chutney vibes the night was full of entertainment spices. The Shakti Strings orchestra took the lead. But amongst the more entertaining was a spontaneous Michael Jackson
dance-off that had the crowd screaming in wild abandon for more.
The lot of five patrons from the crowd inclued a chubby man with much antics comparable to spazams, another with a missing tooth and yet another who dressed the part with lipstick and make up. He covered
it off with ankle high drainpipe black pants and a snap rim hat. However the star was a ten-year-old who popped and locked and moon walked his way into $14,000 cash and the memories of being kissed by
two national beauties including Olive Go Paul and Tonnecia Harding. The eight beauties all appeared on stage in introduction, talent, casual and evening wear segments while the top four had to answer one
additional question each. The other delegates included Annecia Hill, Vidya Persaud, Nalini Sukar and Aleisha Shereef.
Aside from being awarded a total of six prizes for participation such as hampers and other gifts they each got an educational scholarship offer of $25,000.
Much praises are extended to Miranda Thakur – Deen amongst the many sponsors and officials that made the event a success. The show was emceed by entertainer and Journalist Mondale Smith as well as News
Anchor Chad Ramsaroop.