Shaniah Straker, a teacher at Three Miles Secondary School, was crowned Miss Bartica Regatta 2024 in a highly competitive competition that enthralled judges and spectators alike with her stunning display of beauty, grace, and intelligence.

Held yearly as part of the Bartica Regatta celebrations, the prestigious pageant featured the poise and elegance of seven talented women, but in the end, Straker stole the show and won.
The pageant started at 20:00 hours on Easter Monday and ended in the early hours of Tuesday.

At the Bartica Community Centre Ground, Miss Bartica Regatta 2024 was crowned in front of a joyful assembly of onlookers, supporters, and well-wishers. Throughout the competition, Straker radiated charm and charisma, winning the judges over with her radiant smile and self-assured demeanour.

She also impressed the judges with her poise during the evening gown segment, her wit and intelligence during the question-and-answer round, and her talent performance that left the audience in awe, capturing for herself, special prizes in these categories.
She was also adjudged Miss Extravaganza.

As the newly crowned queen, Straker has not only earned the admiration and adulation of her community but has also secured an array of incredible prizes befitting her prestigious title. Among the prizes bestowed upon her are a cash prize of $500,000, a dinner for two at a renowned local restaurant, and a luxurious trip for two to a resort, promising relaxation and indulgence.

In addition to these coveted rewards, she will also enjoy the privilege of designer dresses to enhance her style and elegance, ensuring that she dazzles at every public appearance.
A professional photoshoot, capturing her beauty and grace for posterity, adds to the allure of her newfound reign.

Her crown, a stunning representation of Bartica’s verdant surroundings and powerful rivers, is embellished with slightly more than 10,000 transparent crystals and emerald stones. Bartica’s golden richness is honoured by the gold embellishments on the crown, which tastefully represent the splendours of the pageant’s team of ‘The Pride of the People’.

Waynecia Pollydore captured the hearts of judges and spectators alike with her radiant beauty and eloquence. Her captivating presence on stage, coupled with her articulate responses during the question-and-answer segment, set her apart as a first runner-up in the competition.

Althea Griffith made waves in beauty contest, earning the title of second runner-up.
Throughout the competition, she showcased her talents in various rounds, including swimwear, evening gown, and talent segments. Her confidence and elegance captivated the audience, earning her admiration and applause at every turn. The runners-up of the highly anticipated Miss Bartica Regatta pageant were rewarded with generous cash prizes and other exciting rewards.

The Miss Bartica Regatta Pageant Committee also paid homage to its rich heritage by honouring past queens of the renowned event. In a touching ceremony, the beauty queens were celebrated for their contributions to the longstanding pageant.
Among those honoured were queens from various years, representing a diverse array of backgrounds and experiences.

Their reigns may have ended, but their impact on the Bartica Regatta and the community at large continues to be felt to this day.
Roxanne Abrams Gilkes, the 1973 Miss Bartica Beauty Queen; Carol Fredericks, the 1983 Miss Bartica Regatta; and Julian Sobers, Miss Bartica Regatta 1989, were among the honourees.

In Guyana, the Bartica Regatta is a much-awaited occasion that honours the abundant history, customs, and culture of the region. A wide range of Regatta events spanning two weeks came to an end with Monday night’s pageant.
A feature of the event is the Miss Bartica Regatta contest, which promotes confidence and empowerment in young women by showing their abilities and attractiveness.

The dreams and expectations of her town are with Straker as she embarks on her year-long reign.
This young lady will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression and continue to shine as a role model for young women everywhere thanks to her grace, poise, intelligence and determination.