On August 19, 2017, eleven beautiful young ladies will take to the stage to compete for the title of Miss Universe Guyana 2017, when the pageant is hosted at York College, New York.
The delegates were selected following an interview process and those living in Guyana are expected to arrive in the US before the commencement of the preliminary competitions which are slated to start on August 12 through 18. The grand coronation will follow the preliminaries.
The delegates will be prejudged in swimwear, talent, evening gown, fitness and intelligence. On coronation night, the preliminary scores will be added to determine who will move one step closer to the crown.
Those competing for the title are Sharisse Victor, Maria Singh, Trichelle Kelly, Oriane Welch, Rohana Carryl, Marva Mittelholzer, Aaliyah Rosheuvel, Melanie Boodhoo, Vicario Cristal Rogers, Nalicia Ramdyal and Rafieya Husain.
Reigning Miss Universe Guyana, Soyini Fraser, will crown the new queen on August 19.
Meet the contestants
Contestant number 1 – Sharisse Victor
Age: 21
Occupation: Pre-med student and Laboratory Technician
Education: The Brooklyn Latin School, Brooklyn, NY (Diploma in International Baccalaureate); Agnes Scott College, Decatur, GA (Degree in Africana Studies)
Hobbies: Cooking, reading, volunteering, and hiking
Special talent/skills: Experienced public speaker in English and Spanish
Interesting facts: Hopes to pursue a medical career through the United States Air Force
Goal/ambition: Her goal in life is to gain acceptance into medical school to become a physician
Contestant number 2 – Maria Singh
Age: 24
Occupation: Guest Service Agent
Education: Associates in Arts-Current student
Special talent/skills: Singing, dancing, accents
Goal/ambition: To motivate women of all nationalities to be comfortable in their own skin
Contestant number 3 – Trichelle Kelly
Age: 20
Occupation: Model/songwriter
Education: Sophomore at University of Bridgeport
Hobbies: Hiking, writing music, picnics, dancing, modelling, watching romance movies and shopping
Special talent/skills: Singing, dancing, modelling
Goal/ambition: Scholastically, she wants to be a psychiatrist
Contestant number 4 – Oriane Welch
Age: 23
Occupation: Pharmacy Technician in training
Education: Graduated from Buffalo State University in May 2016, majoring in Biology
Hobbies: Modelling
Special talent/skills: Makeup artistry
Interesting facts: She is a great cook thanks to her mother
Goal/ambition: Her ultimate goal in life is to be holistically successful
Contestant number 5 – Rohana Carryl
Age: 24
Occupation: Secretary/student
Education: University Of Guyana – For a Bachelor of Social Science Degree Sociology; Diploma in Public Management
Hobbies: Creative writing/reading, make-up artistry, shopping, site seeing, singing and volunteering, watching Historical documentaries (black history and politics)
Special talent/skills: Creative writing, makeup artistry, singing
Goal/ambition: Beyond wanting to complete her University Degree, she hopes to become one of Guyana’s best Sociologists
Contestant number 6 – Marva Mittelholzer
Age: 24
Occupation: Student
Education: University of Guyana – Present; Berbice Educational Institute – 2010
Hobbies: Swimming, reading, travelling and cooking
Special talent/skills: Has a passion for literature
Interesting facts: She was born in New Amsterdam, Berbice but spent most of her childhood in Coomacka, Berbice River
Goal/ambition: To become a successful entrepreneur
Contestant number 7 – Aaliyah Rosheuvel
Age: 24
Occupation: Radio announcer
Education: Corporate Law; Marketing Degree; Communications degree
Hobbies: Travelling, singing, acting, video games and playing basketball
Special talent/skills: Singing and designing
Interesting facts: She is the President of the Free Hugs Movement in Guyana
Goal/ambition: To spread love worldwide
Contestant number 8 – Melanie Boodhoo
Age: 23
Occupation: Substitute Teacher
Education: Completed Associates of Arts degree with honours from Dr Floyd F Koch Honours College; Pursuing Master’s in Special Education
Hobbies: Creating art, listening to music, dancing, and volunteering
Special talent/skills: Making people laugh
Interesting facts: She loves animals
Goal/ambition: to become an educator
Contestant number 9 – Vicario Cristal Rogers
Age: 24
Occupation: Information Technology Personnel
Education: Completed the Certified Accounting Technician Course; Accounting, Banking and Finance; Certificate in Business Studies
Hobbies: Reading, teaching, singing, dancing, gym/fitness, modelling, traveling and cooking
Special talent/skills: She possesses motivational speaking/mentorship skills
Goal/ambition: Becoming a Chief Executive Office of a reputable establishment
Contestant number 10 – Nalicia Ramdyal
Age: 24
Occupation: Educator
Education: Holds an Associates in Liberal Arts degree. Pursuing a BA in Sociology, with a minor in Education at York College
Hobbies: Dancing, kickboxing, yoga and listening to music
Special talent/skills: Bollywood dancing, web design and photography
Goal/ambition: She hopes to start her own organisation where she can bring awareness and educate children, teens, parents, and schools about bullying
Contestant number 11 – Rafieya Husain
Age: 25
Occupation: BD/Staff Accountant – Z Cloud LLC
Education: Associates degree: Marymount University; currently enrolled at Stayer University to complete a Bachelor’s degree in Finance
Special talent/skills: Bollywood dancing, acting and modelling
Interesting fact: Every country or place she visits, she buys a snow globe as memorabilia
Goal/skills: Her goal is to represent her home country Guyana on the International stage at Miss Universe and ultimately win Miss Universe
