Carib born to compete in Mrs. America Pageant

Carib born to compete in Mrs. America Pageant|Carib born to compete in Mrs. America Pageant
|Photo by Tangerine Clarke

Mrs. Georgia America 2016, Onica Blaize, is the first Caribbean American to win the title in the history of the Peach state, and the first Guyanese-born who will compete among fifty-two equally beautiful and talented women at the national pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Aug. 27.

Blaize, the daughter of popular Guyanese promoter, Wendy Williams, and the second black woman to vie in the Mrs. America Pageant, was crowned Miss Guyana USA 1994 at age 17, told Caribbean Life at a cricket match in Basely Park on Aug. 13, that she is super blessed to compete at the national pageant, and thanked her family and God, who she said have always influenced her life.

“I am happy to represent my heritage and culture, and going to Mrs. America pageant means the world to me,” said the 39-year old beauty queen, who added that she is honored to wear the crown as Mrs. Georgia.

Blaize’s 18-year old daughter, Ariana who also competes in pageants, expressed her wish to see her mother on stage, since she was not yet born when her mother started competing in pageants twenty years ago. As such, Ariana signed-up Mrs. Blaize who went on to capture the title to the glee of her daughter.

“It is important being married, and to put Christ first, but it is also great that Mrs. America gives people like me the opportunity to showcase the institution of marriage,” said the deeply spiritual beauty who migrated to America with her parents when she was just two years old, and lived in Miami before moving to Georgia.

“Every summer I visited my homeland so I know my culture and heritage very well. Going back every year gives me an opportunity to showcase my culture to my American-born children, whose parents are of Caribbean heritage. My husband has Trinidad and Grenadian ancestry.”

She has been married to Brian Blaize, her husband for 16 years, someone she calls amazing. They are the parents of three children.

Blaize, is a public health advisor at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Georgia where she is pleased to serve.

“God has given me different segments in my life where I constantly touch lives,” said Blaize, owner of Nic B Cosmetics, (www.nicbcosmetics.com), and an advocate for the rights of children abused by the foster care system.

In this vein, she partnered with her daughter Adriana to heal children who are negatively affected by the foster care system, through their Dorothy’s House Non-Profit organization in Atlanta, named after her grandmother, that would eventually become a safe haven for children, especially of Caribbean heritage.

“I am passionate about touching lives,” said Blaize who will use this experience as her platform cause at the pageant.

She will also vie in the Evening Gown that will showcase her personal style, and beauty, in addition to her physical fitness, and healthy lifestyle, which she will showcase in the swimwear segment.

The interview segment which carries the most points will allow the contestant to speak about her self, a quality that would surely make Blaize a favorite, since the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority member is articulate, charming and smart.

The Long Island University graduate earned a BS in Social and Behavioral Science and a Masters in Public Administration from Ashford University.

Blaize’s gown and costume, created by Bessy, a national designer, will show the characteristics of the Georgia Peach State.

She expressed her gratitude and thanked the Guyanese community, who she said has been phenomenal.

“So far, the Guyanese community has not let me down when it comes to support. They appreciate when someone is doing something positive to showcase our culture,” she added.

The queen’s GoFundMe page is accepting donations to help Blaize with expenses that have becomes quite costly for travel and other appearances that go with competing in a pageant.

To contribute: go to www.gofundme.com/mrsga2016.

Good luck! Onica!

Mrs. Georgia America, Onica Blaize in Baisley Park, Queens.
Photo by Tangerine Clarke