Twenty-four year old Psychology student, Nuriyyih Gerrard, Ambassador of Region 8, Patoro-Siparuni, captured the hearts of the judges to become Miss World Guyana 2016 during a dazzling evening coronation at the Parc Ranye Center on Guyana’s East Bank, on May 27.
Wearing a gold topless firm-fitting gown, complete with a white fishtail design, the young woman, who was a crowd favorite all the way, sang a beautiful ballad, to win the talent competition.
The popular beauty, a morning radio host, became overwhelmed with emotion while being crowned by Miss World Guyana 2015, Lisa Punch, and later stated she cried because she was happy to win the title.
“You must step out and do the things you have never done before,” she said.
“Sometimes growth happens when you step out of your comfort zone. You must know what it is that drives you. If you haven’t figure out what your purpose is in life, know what your passion is, because that would inevitably lead you to your purpose,” were the inspiring words of the winner.
“You must never allow fear to hold you in your tracks,” added the Caribbean secondary education graduate.
Gerrard, a broadcaster, plans to light up the international stage at the Miss World Pageant later this year with a bold and positive attitude.
Her beauty with a purpose platform will address mental health in Guyana. “I feel prevention is better that cure, and I want to bring about awareness to help the high number of persons suffering with some form of mental illness that requires some form of treatment,” added the articulate young woman.
“We can start by educating young people how to take care of their mental health issues so that we can create a stronger generation,” said the humanitarian.
Twenty-two-year-old Treasure James, Ambassador Region 7, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, was named second-runner-up.
She wore a fabulous gown, cut from gold lame fabric and designed with an asymmetric style bodice. A skirt attached to the hobble dress, opened to reveal black spots that represent Guyana’s endangered Jaguar- the themed mascot of the Golden Jubilee.
James who won the Best Evening Gown competition is now enrolled at Texila American University to study medicine. She used her beauty with a purpose platform to combat human trafficking, and in so doing, launched a campaign to fight the scourge under the theme “Fight for freedom – breaking the silence.”
Equipped with a BSc in Chemistry from the University of Guyana, Najuma Nelson, Ambassador Region 2 Pomoroon-Supernaam, wants to improve access to quality education for children in remote communities, especially in her Region 2 community.
The princess, who also won the Best Interview segment, stunned the Judges when she stepped on stage in a Cinderella-style gown designed with cap sleeves, and trimmed with sequins on the front of the bodice. She won the third-runner-up spot.
Judges had the arduous task of scoring the equally talented and beautiful princesses, who are all winners. The young woman were presented with therapies, and crowns, and congratulated by Franchise Holder, Natasha Martindale.
Winners in other categories include: Marva Langevine Ambassador, Region 3, Beauty With A Purpose, Ariella Basdeo — Ambassador, Region 4, Sports and Fitness, Ashmini Ramnauth Ambassador, Region 5, Top Model.
Divya Yabindranauth Ambassador, Region 1, won the Multimedia Award, as well as The People’s Choice, and the Miss Photogenic Awards.
Judges, Natasha Martindale, Debra Francis, Roxanne Myers, Dave Laihoo, Simon Mangal-Joly, and Joel Ghansham, scored the beauties in the various categories, while World Renowned Fashion Designer and Miss World Organization member Roger Gary, headed the incredible production. Michelle Cole, Miss World Organization member, was a part of the design process.
Lisa Punch, who performed, and took her last walk on the runway as Miss World 2015, also served as emcee, with E-Neworks TV Anchor, Mark Murray.
