Miss Universe Belize Unveils Belize Themed Crown  

It is officially pageant week for the Miss Universe Belize 2024 contestants, which signals the approach of competition day. For months, ten women have been preparing to become the next candidate to represent Belize on the world stage. Today, as a start to Pageant Week, the crown that will adorn the head of the next Miss Universe Belize was unveiled. News Five’s Britney Gordon attended the big reveal today to learn more about its creation and the preparation for pageant week. Here’s the story.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

The Miss Universe Belize Pageant 2024 is just a few day away and the contestants are eager to participate. Pageant week was officially launched today with the reveal of the crown that the next Miss Universe Belize will wear during her reign. The National Director of the Miss Universe Belize Foundation shared her excitement over the reveal and its proceedings.

 

Destinee Arnold, National Director, Miss Universe Belize Foundation

“Today kicks off the official pageant week for the Miss Universe Police Delegates. Today, right now specifically, we are revealing the crown that a title holder will continue to wear in the next coming years. About three years we plan to utilize this crown. This is a crown that’s very special to us. It took a lot of thought and specially designed by one of our designers. So the crown is special because it is unique to Belize. Um, Belize was the inspiration behind the design of the crown. I don’t want to get into too much detail because we will be disclosing that during the crown reveal. But no one will have this crown but our title holder. So we are really excited about it. Specifically, even the material that it is made out of, um, is quite special. So I’m really excited to reveal it all to you all.”

 

We spoke with a few delegates to learn how they are feeling in the days leading up to the pageant in Mexico. Contestant seven, Monilee Aspinall said that she was excited to see her training in action on the big stage.

 

Monilee Aspinall, Delegate, Miss Universe Belize 2024

“I am super excited. It’s definitely been a journey of highlighting all the things that I’m capable of personally, the areas that I need assistance with, as well as developing a really great sisterhood along with the committee and the other delegates. I think at this point, it’s just carrying through with the preparation we’ve been doing for the past few months. Outfits, hair, walking, training with the way we do it. the way that we’re carrying ourselves and our words. And so now it’s just kind of an accumulation of all that hard work that we’ve been putting in and I’m super excited to see it on stage.”

 

Contestant one, Mikayla Gongora expressed that while she was nervous, she was also eager to showcase her hard work.

 

Mikayla Gongora, Delegate, Miss Universe Belize 2024

“I’m feeling extremely anxious, excited. Overall preparation for this. It’s been, it’s been a journey. It’s been exciting. Mostly the hesitation has been all about the mental work for all of this, but I feel extremely prepared more than excited, ready to hit the stage with all of. I think that I’m really prepared for this.”

 

Contestant ten, Maryam Abdul-Qawiyy said that she was determined to be an ambassador for her country and showcase her talents during the show.

 

Maryam Abdul-Qawiyy, Delegate, Miss Universe Belize 2024

“I’m feeling really good. I feel very prepared. Um, I worked really hard up until this point preparing, like, in an all encompassing way with not just working out, but walking, question and answer, things like that. So I feel really good. I feel really prepared. And the emotions are excitement because now the week is here and this is just a week long job interview. That’s how, that’s how I’m looking at it because, um, to be a Miss Belize, means that you’re an ambassador for your country and you have to be a diplomat and leverage that to put Belize on the map. So, I take that very seriously. And so I’m excited to put my best foot forward when it comes to that.”

 

The crown was made by a local engineering student, Inga Woods-Waight who modelled the crown to emulate Belize. She said that the crowns gold accents, draws inspiration from the Belize’s national flower, the Black Orchid. Five black orchid-shaped flowers embellish the crown to reflect the rich diversity and allure of Belize. The clear glass symbolizes clarity of purpose and vision, while the gold accents represent resilience and strength. Britney Gordon for News Five.