Miss Caribbean Culture Pageant 2011: Kiswana Abimola Jefford set to rep for Guyana

Kiswana Jefford

The sun was setting on the 31st July, 1990, when the wail of a bouncing baby girl pierced the confines of the Woodlands Hospital in the capital city of Guyana. Prematurely born, this bubbly baby girl put a smile upon the face of Elton Jefford (late) and brought cheerfulness into the life of Erica Sobers. “I embody the traits of a positive, prudent and assiduous young woman who is determined to become one of society’s leading ladies and leave a legendary mark on the world,” she emphatically states. Reflecting humility Kiswana is  resolute young woman, who endorses taking a stance for your beliefs and fulfilling your goals.

In Her words:
I embarked on my first educational journey at the South Ruimveldt Park Nursery School then South Ruimveldt Park Primary School where I sat the Secondary School Entrance Examinations (S.S.E.E). I subsequently completed my secondary level of learning at St. Stanislaus College and North Georgetown Secondary School where I amassed 13 (thirteen) subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Examination Council Examination (C.S.E.C)  Thus obtaining the Student of Excellency Award. Throughout the different levels of my education I participated in various extracurricular activities, mainly debating, reading, spelling b and track and field competitions. With leadership qualities, and an outspoken yet agreeable and cool disposition I was elected school prefect by my peers and school teachers. Motivated by my love for intellectual enhancement and elevation I am currently a second year International Relations student of the University of Guyana. However, upon its conclusion it is my objective to continue my journey academically by studying Law. Hence, taking me one step closer of accomplishing my career objective-a Criminal Attorney-at-Law.

When I am not working as an Administrative Assistant at Hughes, Fields and Stoby or studying, I embrace leisure in being an activist for environmental preservation and tourism education, reading, surfing the internet and dancing; I have a passion for the art form of dance and is presently a member of Classique Dance Company. My past times also expand to include hanging out with family and friends and spending quality time with elderly folks, orphans and/or children faced with adversities. An exemplification of eloquence, radiance and charisma I also epitomize the “girly-girl” who adores fashion and embraces a fanatical interest in pageantry. The latter of which prompted me to enter the 2009 Miss Guyana Talented Teen pageant where I placed third and secured the Miss Body Beautiful prize. My next pageant was the Miss Guyana Earth 2010 pageant of which I am the reigning queen and also attained the Queen of the Catwalk prize and Miss Body Beautiful once more. I then journeyed to St. Martin last year as Guyana’s Representative in the Miss Caraibes Hibiscus 2010 pageant and will be Guyana’s Beauty Ambassador at Miss Earth International 2011 in China. I recently participated in the Miss Guyana Jamzone 2011 pageant where I placed third and secure the Miss Body Beautiful title again.

I admire Nelson Mandela and the women of today, primarily Oprah Winfrey and Desiree Bernard, who are my role models. I believe the individual I am today is attributable to the morals my parents imbued in me whilst growing up, a sound educational background and everything I’ve experienced from childhood to date. Five years from now I envisage myself as having established my own charitable organization, having completed a Bachelors degree in International Relations and striving to procure a Degree in Law, a professional Dancer and Guyana’s representative at the prestigious Miss Universe and/or Miss World pageants. This is me, Kiswana Abimola Jefford-A spirited dancer, an aspiring lawyer, a role model, a patriot, a Guyanese…

This year’s pageant will be staged in two parts for the first time…The Swimsuit Competition is scheduled for St Kitts on Saturday July 23, 2011 at Carnival Village while the other segments – talent, evening gown, interview and crowning will be held in Nevis on Monday July 25.

 

Digicel Schools Football Championships 2011

New Amsterdam Technical Institute(NATI) dominate Stewartville Secondary to secure semifinal spot

Left to right; Devon James, Whitney Larose, Leroy James and Alaska Burnett
Left to right; Devon James, Whitney Larose, Leroy James and Alaska Burnett

With the respective regional champions crowned in all ten administrative regions the time has come for the top schools to find out who will lift the national championship trophy in the Digicel Schools Football Championships 2011.

The quarterfinals to determine the national champs kicked off at various venues across the country on Wednesday July 13 and from the results it was clear that young talented players are emerging. The most exciting and electrifying match of the day was however played at the Den Amstel ground which saw Region 6 champions New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI) coming up against their Region 3 counterparts Stewartville Secondary School. Stewartville had the advantage of a large supportive home crowd but that did not stop the Berbicians from inflicting a 8-2 thrashing on them. Devon James was the most efficient striker for NATI after striking first in the 16th minute. He finished the game with a hat-trick, his other goals being scored in the 25th and 76th minutes respectively. Whitney La Rose and Leroy James scored two goals apiece and Alaska Burnett also contributed one goal to the final tally.

Action in the Bygeval vs. GTI clash. GTI scored 3  Bygeval 2
Action in the Bygeval vs. GTI clash. GTI scored 3 Bygeval 2

Stewartville was a physically smaller side and played a more cautious and defensive game. Those gathered did not expect their team to be beaten so severely but they were nonetheless appreciative for the plethora of goals scored and cheered when the ball hit the net for either side. The two goals for Stewartville were scored by Steffon Griffith in the 64th off a penalty and Alonzo Bowman in the 69th. The game was not short of drama either. In the 85th minute the goalie for Stewartville, Richard Croft was sent off for attempting to elbow a NATI striker after he had already secured the ball. This caused an uproar in the crowd and officials had to calm down players and spectators in order to restore order. The game however ended without further incident.

In the other results of the day Linden edged Port Kaituma 1-0, Government Technical Institute beat Bigeval Secondary 3-2 and Wamaradong Secondary overcame Charity Secondary 5-1.

By – Andrew Ross