Reigning Miss Guyana Universe 23-year-old Ruqayyah Boyer was officially sashed and crowned Miss Guyana World 2013 at the Pegasus Hotel on Friday in a simple yet sophisticated ceremony.
Boyer, who is currently pursuing studies at the University of Guyana, was crowned by young Sasha Devi-Bharrat, a representative of Irene Madray’s Recreational Arts and Resources Centre (IMRARC) and was sashed by 2006 Miss Guyana World Dessia Braithwaite.
Boyer was also sashed as an ambassador for the U.S.-based Caribbean American Domestic Violence Awareness (CADVA).
The new Miss Guyana World was selected by the newly-elected franchise holder for Miss Guyana World, Natasha Martindale, who made the decision to opt for Boyer since she is already a reigning queen and was a finalist in the last Miss Guyana World Pageant.
It was after that pageant that Boyer attained the Miss Guyana Universe crown and represented Guyana at the Miss Universe pageant in the United States.
Speaking at the crowning, Boyer pledged her full commitment in every way possible to the country and CADVA. “I feel very fortunate to be bestowed with a second national title and to be given the opportunity to represent Guyana once more in the international arena, this time for a cause that transcends any competition I have ever been a part of,” she underscored.
She expressed disappointment that the previous Miss World Guyana Arti Cameron could not be a part of the ceremony; however, she voiced pleasure in being crowned by Bharrat, a young girl diagnosed with a rare skin disorder, Lamellar ichthyosis.
She promised to be a “guiding light” for all those who wish to have their voices heard during her stint as Miss World Guyana 2013. Boyer thanked her supporters. “I pledge to serve the people of my community as a humble citizen, my country as its goodwill queen, and the world within the diaspora with its many causes during my reign…with our national flag as a symbol of honour.”
Boyer is an advocate against gender-based violence; hence she decided to be an ambassador for CADVA. During her stint, she has joined forces with CADVA and by extension IMRARC. She will represent Guyana at the Miss World Pageant in Indonesia planned for September.