JUST 16 days after the pageant’s launch, eight beautiful young women will battle for the coveted ‘Miss Guyana Universe’ Crown tonight.
At the Sashing ceremony at the Princess Hotel on Friday night, pageant franchise holder, Mr. Odinga Lumumba gave his word that this year’s event will be a “step-up” from those of the past.
Said he: “It was much easier this time [to select contestants]: The process was more intense; more fast-paced; more comprehensive.” Noting that we have a brighter crop of girls in the lineup this year, Lumumba said what is of utmost importance is their being able to articulate the issues they’ve chosen as their platform topic.
Some of the girls that you can expect to see strutting their stuff on the stage tonight are Delegate Number One, 20-year-old Rushauna Harris, who is sponsored by the firm, Horizontal Electrical; 19-year-old Cindy Craig, who comes in at Number Two and is  sponsored by Salon Classique; and Delegate Number Three, 19-year-old Melissa Carter, who is sponsored by Compustruct.
Organisers promise an evening of stellar entertainment, including acts by Guyanese-born vocalist, Aubrey Mann and the Karma Band.
The event, which will be held at the Princess Hotel at Providence, on the lower East Bank, will feature the usual swimsuit and evening gown categories.
The newly-crowned Miss Guyana Universe will represent Guyana at the  Miss Universe Pageant, slated for August 23 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, in Las Vegas, in an all-expense-paid trip valued US$10,000.
She will also win an all-expense-paid trip for two to Jamaica with stay at the Jamaican Pegasus Hotel and a $200,000 cash prize. Showtime is 19:00h, poolside.