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By Charles Gladden
Belize City, Monday, August 26, 2024
One of Belize’s oldest traditions, the Queen of the Gulf Pageant, was held on Saturday evening, August 24 at the Belize Civic Center in Belize City, and culminated in the selection of this year’s Queen, Deanni Janae Laing, who will receive the crown, scepter and robe from the previous Queen of the Gulf, Keely Faux.
“When I heard my name, I was so happy!” Ryan told Amandala. “At that moment, I was so grateful to God because he arranged everything in this journey for me to win,” she added.
The 79th Gulf Queen pageant attracted 11 young women from across the country to compete for the crown: Nia Figueroa — Miss San Pedro; Shamira Usher — Miss Benque Viejo; Lupita Aldana — Miss Caye Caulker; Arnisha Arnold — Miss Stan Creek West; Tinaya Castillo — Miss San Ignacio/Santa Elena; Dorinay Ramirez — Miss Orange Walker; Seleny Perez — Miss Belmopan; Terryle Arana — Miss Stan Creek Central; Dilhani Godoy — Miss Corozal Island; Heavenly Bradley — Miss Belize City; and Deanni Laing — Miss Belize Country.
Heavenly Bradley from Belize City was first runner-up, and Lupita Aldana from Caye Caulker was second runner-up. The judges judged the women on their eloquence, gait, talent and, of course, curtsy. Laing won three of the four categories — Miss Eloquence, Best Dressed and Miss Curtsy. Heavenly Bradley won Best Talent.
Ryan will be officially crowned at the traditional St. George Island Day ceremony on September 10 at Memorial Park in Belize City.
AMANDALA Editor’s Note: Kendall Morgan, the 78th Gulf Queen representing rural Belize, was stripped of her title by the Gulf Queen Council on August 14 due to certain contractual violations and was unable to complete her term; her runner-up, Keely Faux of Stan Creek West, will take on the Gulf Queen title and complete her term until September 10, when she will hand over the crown to Deanni Laing, the 79th Gulf Queen.)
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