SIX local beauties who are in a race to represent Guyana at the bigger better Jamzone Summer Break this year were sashed last Friday in an elegant opening ceremony at the Princess Hotel, at Providence East Bank Demerara.
The evening was also the official launch of the package of entertainment events which are now a staple on the tourism calendar.
This year, the ante has been upped with an exciting offer of $3M in cash and prizes going to the young woman who wins the local leg of the pageant. The queen will then be eligible to represent Guyana in the Miss Guyana Caribbean Queen Pageant and the upcoming Miss Jamzone International Pageant.
The delegates were selected from the bevy of young women who applied after the announcement of the pageant by the Hits and Jams committee.
The programme included a cocktail hour, a welcome by Hits and Jams co-owner Kerwin Bollers, and a performance by singer Jackie Hanover who impressed as usual with her powerful vocals, this time with a rendition of Alicia Keys’ ‘Superwoman’.
But of course the real climax of the event was when the delegates made their anticipated appearance, dancing to “Dreamgirls” the popular song in the 2008 movie of the same name.
At least half of the delegates are no strangers to the public’s eye, with delegate one, Kiswana Jeffers, sponsored by Moonstone Entertainment, being the reigning Miss Guyana Earth; delegate two, Jinella Lewis, sponsored by White Castle Fish Shop – a former Miss Guyana delegate;  and delegate three, Janelle Babb, sponsored by Platinum Entertainment – a former Miss Guyana Talented Teen.
The other delegates are medical student Nikita Barker, sponsored by Eureka Lab, Jovan Wilson, holder of a Degree in Tourism, with a passion for poetry, sponsored by Fusion; and Candida Paul, a young lady with strong dramatic skills, sponsored by the Bartica Regatta Committee.

Dreamgirls: Jamzone delegates perform their opening dance

Miss Jamzone 2008, Miss Lavonia Springer, delivered a charge to the delegates, expounding on the importance of humility and a positive mind-set.

The pageant’s coordinating team, Simpli Royal, has over the past two months been making ardent preparations to ensure the delegates are trained in every area, including modelling techniques, public speaking and voice modulation, posture and poise, mental preparation, wardrobe analysis, and diet and fitness.
Jamaica’s delegate, 21-year-old model and Reality TV actress, Lesa-Gayle Wee Tom, beat seven others at the first ever Miss Jamzone International pageant last August. Guyana’s delegate 24-year-old Nikita Archer scored the third runner-up spot.
The pageant, which culminated with the beach segment, was the final event of a packed week of activities, which included a swimsuit segment, an intelligence segment and three super concerts.
The Hits and Jams team expressed confidence in the current line up of beauties, stating that this year’s patrons, can expect an exceptional showcase of talent, intelligence and elegance at the pageant scheduled for May 26th at Splashmins.
Over the next few weeks the general public will have an opportunity to see the girls via television interviews, newspapers specials, and special releases on the Jamzone Website. Visit the Hits and Jams site at http://www.jamzonesummerbreak.com