Miss Region Five Analisa Andrews, 21, of Moraikabai was crowned Miss Amerindian Heritage 2013 after six hours of exhilarating competition at the Cultural Center.
Andrews, an aspiring accountant, won the judges’ hearts as she mesmerised them from the beginning of the competition to the end.
She sealed the deal when she answered the question: “The theme for Amerindian Heritage Month is ‘honouring our culture, advancing our future’; what does this mean to you?”
In response, she confidently and eloquently said: “Honouring our culture means to me that I should be proud of my tradition, my culture, my history, my ancestors and even though changes are occurring everyday in our lives, for example, technology, I shouldn’t forget where I came from by always preserving my culture, but at the same time advancing the future − meaning to take my education seriously, and move on.”
Coming in as first runner-up was Miss Region Three, Letitia Sacajawea Daniels,19, of Santa-Aratak in the Kamuni Creek, while the second runner-up spot was captured by Miss Region Seven, Gleary Williams,21, who hails from Batavia, in the Lower Cuyuni River, Region Seven. Copping the third runner-up spot was Miss Region Six, Shevon Hyderkhan, 19, of Siparuta, a tiny village, 53 km down the Corentyne River, and rounding off the top five was Miss Region Eight, Vickiola Aaron,19, of Paramakatoi.
The queen won herself $250,000, among other prizes, while the first runner-up secured $150,000 and other prizes, and the third runner-up pocketed $100,000 with other fabulous prizes.
The other delegates also won monetary and other prizes. All the monetary prizes were sponsored by General Equipment and Farm Supplies.