By LEDEDRA MARCHE
Senior FN Reporter
lededra@nasguard.com
Miss Grand Bahama 2008/2009 Kerel Pinder is in Manizales Colombia poised and ready to compete in the International Queen of Coffee Beauty Pageant set for Saturday, January 10.
Pinder, who is the first ever contestant from The Bahamas, left for Colombia on Saturday and will compete against over 20 girls for the coveted title.
The excited and elated Grand Bahama queen hopes to gain meaningful exposure, experience a new culture and foster lasting relationships with other contestants from around the world.
In all, the girls will have to score high in five categories – the interview which accounts for 25 percent of the scores, the swimsuit competition is another 25 percent, the beauty competition makes up 20 percent, the evening gown is another 20 percent and the question rounds it off with 10 percent.
Beginning today, Pinder will compete over the next few days in the five segments leading up to the big night, Miss International Queen of Coffee 2008 Jessica Jordan, Miss Bolivia, will take her final walk.
The International Queen of Coffee will be celebrating its 52nd anniversary in the city of Manizales this year.
"This is the first time someone from The Bahamas is being represented at this contest," said an elated Pageant President Glen Davis, who admits Pinder needs to know a great deal about coffee.
"I think she is ready for it and I have every confidence that she will do us proud because she is a very smart girl and knows what she is doing," he said.
Davis also explained that the purpose of gaining the Miss Grand Bahama franchise was not simply to have the young ladies compete on a local scale but to have them take the international stage and gain exposure.
"When we started the Miss Grand Bahama Competition we wanted the girls to go all over the world and represent the country in international pageants," he said.
"That's what its all about. We want them to go international because the girls are trained to compete against international young women. We don't want them to only think about getting to Miss Bahamas because after they compete there there is nothing else to do," he said.
Most international pageants take care of travel expenses, accommodations and food for the contestants, Davis revealed.
"So all we have to do is get the girl's wardrobe together and send them there."
Traffic Bahamas provided sponsorship for Pinder to Colombia while her official airlines are Copa Airline and Aeropublica.
Her high fashion gown was designed and made by LESPA and her fantasy dress was designed by Rizwan Ali from Pakistan.
Each country is required to provide three gifts – one for the governor, the tourism office and mayor.
Pinder's gifts were sponsored by local artisan Kathy Laing who creates one of a kind authentic conch shell pieces.
This is Pinder's second international pageant since capturing the crown in February 2008.
Her first international pageant was Miss Global Beauty held in China last September where she was among the top three in the Internet voting competition and also received an award for the first runner up in the talent category.
Miss Grand Bahama Beauty Pageant Committee Member Leshan Ferguson added that Pinder has done much in her short reign since capturing the title at the Hilton Outten Centre in February 2008.
"Ms. Pinder is a determined, poise and intelligent young lady who has accomplished so much. Besides her impeccable beauty, she is also a leader and a role model among many and an inspiration to many young ladies in Grand Bahama and The Bahamas," she said.
The Miss Grand Bahama Organization is now preparing for its upcoming pageant set for March 29, 2009 and promises it will be a show stopper.
