Belize - Central America

Miss Belize Earth, Leilah Pandy seems confident after “long-gown competition”

For the first time in history, Miss Leilah Pandy will be representing Belize in the Miss Earth pageant in Manila, Philippines, which began in October.

Pageants Belize Limited’s Director, Margaret Johnson says that “the time is right for Belize to increase its participation in international pageants. Competing at Miss Earth for the first time this year is the beginning of a new and exciting thrust in the Pageants Belize developmental plan.”

When asked about Leilah’s performance during her interview at the preliminary long-gown competition, which took place on Monday, she answered eagerly, “Leilah seemed so excited and feels confident! She was the only one to be asked nine questions. The others were asked only two or three. This certainly means that the judges were interested in her.” The talent competition took place on November 3. In it Pandy entertained the audience with a modern interpretive dance to Paul Nabor’s “Naguya Nei.”

As her national gift, Pandy took a stone carving donated by the Image Factory. All national gifts were auctioned for charity that day. Belize’s carving received one of the highest bids – an impressive US$5,000, which will be donated to environmental causes.

Miss Pandy was crowned Miss Belize in 2003 and represented us at Miss Universe 2004. Leilah also won Miss Costa Maya in 2003 and was not only third runner-up at the Mesoamerica International held in Las Vegas, Nevada that same year, but also captured the titles of Miss Culture along with Miss Academic.

In 2001, Carousel Productions Incorporated decided to reinvent and improve the concept of beauty competitions by launching Miss Earth Pageant – an event whose intention was to have delegates actively promote themselves and get involved in the preservation of the environment.

Also representing Belize internationally this year are 22-year-old Felicita Arzu, a post graduate of the University of Belize and eight-year old Azizi Juanita Hoy.

Arzu, who departed on October 30, will experience the thrills of Sanya, China during her one month stay while representing Belize in the Miss World 2007 finals.

Hoy will be a part of the International Children’s Pageant. Belize will once again be represented for the first time as she takes centre stage on November 15 in the Domincan Republic.

Source: Armin Petzold, The Reporter