Outgoing queen, Miss Antonio Carey crowning Miss Cindy Lewis, Miss East End 2009-2010

Freeport Grand Bahama - Under the theme “Beauty from the East, A Journey through the wetlands”, five young beauties representing four settlements of East Grand Bahama, competed for the title of Miss East-End 2009-2010, in a pageant held at Bishop Michael Eldon School’s auditorium this past Saturday, November 28, 2009.

Minister Russell presenting trophy to new queen. From L-R Antonia Carey, Cindy Lewis and Mr.Russell

The five beauties vying for the title were:

Miss Aquatic - Tellishia Woods, a 19 year old Associate Degree Student studying Business Administration at BTVI who represented Mather Town

Miss Evergreen - Sharanda Roberts, a 19 year old student at the College of the Bahamas, pursuing studies to become a registered nurse, representing High Rock

Miss Green Turtle - Kayla Bevans, a 17 year old twelfth grader at St.Georges High School representing the settlement of Mclean's Town

Miss Queen Conch - Althea Pinder, a 16year old final year student at Jack Hayward High School who also represented McLean's Town

Miss Sand Dollar -Cindy Lewis, a 22 year old 4^th grade teacher at Freeport Gospel Chapel School who represented Water Cay.

Hon Kenneth Russell & Beauties from the East. From L-R Kayla Bevans, Sharanda Roberts, Tellishia Woods, Cindy Lewis (Miss East End 2009-2010), Minister Russell, Miss Antonia Carey (Miss East End 2008-2009) and Miss Althea Pinder

The young ladies were judged in seven categories: A private interview which took place two weeks before the pageant, a swimsuit and costume competition which was held one week prior to the pageant, and on the night of the competition they were judged on their talent, Evening Gown, and a Question and answer segment. Each contestant was also required to set up a display board in the auditorium for the night of the pageant, depicting more about their life and accomplishments. This was also judged.

At the end of the evening, after all the scores were tallied, the winner of Miss East-End 2009-2010 was Miss Sand Dollar, Cindy Lewis who represented the small settlement of Water Cay. The first and second runners up were Miss Althea Pinder of McLeans Town and Miss Tellishia Woods of Mather Town, respectively.

The evening was filled with excitement with dance performances by the contestants, modeling of their swim suits, costumes and elegant evening gowns, talents that ranged from monologues to singing to dancing and entertainment from “Ligit All Stars Dancers” and the melodious voice of Mr. Richard Rolle.

The outgoing queen, Miss East End 2008-2009, Miss Antonia Carey, was also a highlight of the evening making several wardrobe changes on her final night as queen before graciously taking her final walk.

“It was quite an exciting reign as the third Miss East End Grand Bahama and it has also been a pleasure representing the East End community at the various functons in whichI attended,” she said. “This was indeed an enjoyable experience in which I am sadden has come to an end. I must thank the entire East End community for their love and support, my coordinator Ms. Denise Robinson, for her timely encouraging words and support, my extended and immediate family, a special thanks to my sponsors, who are my number one supporters none other than my parents, Reverend Fredrick and Mrs. Carey, I love you both, and to the Heavenly Father who has guided and protected me throughout my reign.”

Miss Althea Pinder in her costume "Bahamian Bride". Winner of the costume competition

During the pageant the Honorable Kenneth Russell, Minister of Housing and member of parliament for High Rock and Mr. Bradley Ambrister, Administrator for local Government, East End, were both presented with a framed photo of Ms. Carey to display in their offices.

The first Miss East End Grand Bahama was said to be held in 1974 when Miss Mavis Hall (now Mrs. Mavis Hall-Grant) was crowned queen. The second was held in 1976 with former senator Pleasant Bridgewater being crowned Miss East-End. After a hiatus of 32 years, Ms. Denise Robinson, a teacher at McLeans Town primary school reintroduced the pageant last year when Antonia Carey was crowned as the third Miss East-End.

Ms. Robinson is grateful to the young ladies their parents and sponsors for allowing them to participate and assisting them with preparing for the pageant. She also expressed gratitude to the community of East-End for their support , Mr. Glen Davis, co-ordinator of the Miss Grand Bahama Pageant for his assistance, Miss Willamae Deveaux, Mrs. Remelda Thomas, the Bahamas Dance Theatre, Mr. Walter Smith and all others who assisted in making this year’s pageant a success.

In a private interview with the new queen Miss Cindy Lewis after the pageant she said,

“I was elated to have had the opportunity to represent my home settlement- North Water Cay. North Water Cay is somewhat unheard of but it is the most tranquil settlement with miles of majestic shores in East End Grand Bahama. Although our settlement is small the people who have migrated from there and are still there are some of the most talented Bahamians you will ever meet. I am looking forward to having the opportunity to make a positive impact in the East End communities and also the opportunity to show and educate other Bahamians about what North Water Cay has to offer.”

Miss Lewis expressed gratitude to Ms. Robinson, the co-ordinator of the pageant for affording the young ladies from East-End such an opportunity. She said that she was also grateful for the experience; all that she learnt and the people, namely the other contestants that she met. “Through this experience I was able to develop my public speaking skills, exercise my communication abilities and even learn how to dance. If I was given the opportunity to trade in my experience I would say no without a doubt. I know that this experience would be very beneficial to many young ladies in the East End community because it can help to develop self-esteem, self -worth, confidence and poise.