“THRIVE to be competitive” is a mantra of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Sports Department, and was certainly the motivating force behind 29-year-old Lance Corporal Daniella Castillion, who was crowned Queen Wednesday evening in the Ms. GDF Pageant 2015.This was one of the many events held at the National Cultural Centre, and coordinated by the GDF Women’s Army Corps (WAC) in celebration of its 50th anniversary.

However, unlike traditional pageants, the Miss GDF 2015 Pageant is not just about pomp and ceremony.
In her opening remarks, Commanding Officer of the Women Army Corps, Lieutenant Colonel Natasha Standford said:
“The Miss Guyana Defence Force Pageant is not only a beauty pageant, but rather an organised showcase of the physical fitness, marksmanship, talent, poise and eloquence of a military woman.”
Along with Queen Castillion were 18 other contestants vying for the royal title who had entered the pageant after being sashed on August 12 last.
FOUR-STAGE EVENT
The pageant was a four-part event which entailed a swimsuit segment, physical fitness, talent segment and lastly the evening gown. There was also the final interview segment.
It commenced with the candidates introducing themselves and proclaiming the respective arms of the corps they represented. The crowd, though small, kept the show lively with their cheering and comments.
Besides the men ogling the ladies, women in the audience cheered when GDF bodybuilder, Sergeant Davis took to the podium to exhibit his sexy, muscular body.
As he wowed the ladies, the delegates backstage prepared to strut their stuff in their swimwear. One by one, they took centerstage to show off their well-cut figures, honed to perfection by the physical activities of the army.
This segment commenced after the intermission, and the crowd was amazed by the glamour, grace, poise and beauty of the contestants.
The men lined the stage and subsequently greeted the army women at the top of the staircase, which was part of the stage setting. As they escorted them, with a kiss on the hand or cheek, the men handed the ladies over to the crowd, giving them the spotlight to work the stage.

Soon after, Calvin Burnett, one of the GT&T jingle finalists serenaded the delegates with a romantic tune from sweet reggae. Burnett had the audience in sing-along mode, while he shared out roses to the GDF Pageant 2015 delegates.
DECISION TIME
This performance gave the five judges time to make their decisions. After a lengthy deliberation, the judges finally decided that Private Fambo Ramsay, 20, of Base Camp Stephenson; Lance Corporal Daniella Castillon,29, of Sports Department, Lance Corporal Tiffany Miles,22, of Air Corps, Lance Corporal Alicia Jack, 21, of G6 Branch and Lance Corporal Letita Myles of Training Corps, had performed well enough to go through to the last stage of the pageant.
Following the ladies’ answers in the last question of the segment, Jack ended up in the fourth runner-up position. Smith took third place, Ramsey took second and Myles was first runner-up leaving the Queen in tears and amazed that she was the new Ms. GDF.
During the announcement of the special prize, Miss Coast Guard 23-year-old Ann Reynolds copped Best Gown and Ramsey won Best Talent while Myles won Best Physical Fitness.
Miss Base Camp Ayanganna, Lance Corporal Carlesia Laundry won Best Smile. Jack took the Congeniality Title and Smith Massiah had the Most Beautiful Body.
Queen Castillion won the grand prize of a Toyota IST, while first runner-up Myles won a motorcycle.

By Clestine Juan