By K. NANCOO-RUSSELL
Freeport News Reporter
Seven young ladies pulled out all the stops in their bid to dazzle the judges, but one contestant, Kerel Pinder, walked away with the crown at the Miss Grand Bahama pageant on Sunday night.
The Hilton Outten Centre was packed to capacity as family and friends of the contestants turned out to lend their support.
The contestants – Pinder, Shavonne Strachan, Vernita Elliott, Nikeira Stuart, Gwyneth Grant, Jillian Russell and Tinnyse John-son – had been rigorously rehearsing since September of last year, and were all extremely excited about the chance to compete for the coveted title.
They were judged in the swimsuit, talent, evening gown, costume, interview and top model categories in preliminary competitions held prior to the final night.
On Sunday night, they presented and were judged on their individual platforms.
In the end, Pinder, who was sponsored by the Seventeen Shop, emerged victorious overall, while Tinnyse Johnson and Jillian Russell placed first and second runner up respectively.
"It feels great. I'm excited. I still can't believe it's happening to me," she said. "I'm excited about the year and to get things done and fulfill my role as Miss Grand Bahama."
Twenty-two year old Pinder is an employee of the Ministry of Education. She is a guidance counsellor at Lewis Yard Primary and The Beacon School.
A graduate of Grand Bahama Catholic High, she obtained a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Acadia University in Nova Scotia, Canada.
She is currently an advisor for the Twenty Pearls programme, an organization focused on grooming high school girls in grades 9-11 into future leaders and a coordinator of the R.I.S.E. organization, a parent support group for parents of special needs children.
She is also a member of the Rotaract Club of Freeport, where she serves as community service director, the Toastmasters International Club and the Freeport Players Guild.
Pinder said she plans to advocate her platform which is "Community Awareness and Support of Special Need Kids."
"The point of the platform is to get awareness out there of the different disorders that special needs kids have and to allow the public to become sensitized to the stereotypes and stigmas that come with special need children," she explained.
"I also hope to educate other young women about pageantry and try to lessen the stereotypes about pageantry only being a beauty fixture because it's more about being an ambassador for your country."
Pinder will now begin her preparations for the Miss Bahamas pageant which is scheduled to take place in June of this year.
AND THE WINNER IS — Miss Grand Bahama 2008 Kerel Pinder is crowned by Miss Bahamas World Anaya Watkins at the Hilton Outten Centre on Sunday night. (Photo by DEREK CARROLL)
