14-year-old BHS student crowned Region 6 Teen Queen

Fourteen-year-old Saskie Willie, a student of Berbice High School (BHS) was on Sunday morning crowned Region Six Teen Queen.
The event, which was organised by the Guyana Police Force at the regional level, saw eight girls participating; each representing one of the eight police stations in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

Willie, representing the Rose Hall Outpost, spoke on the issue of child abuse.
The first runner-up is Aniesha Crandon who represented Albion Police Station addressed matters of substance abuse.
Meanwhile, Auriel Peters, who represented Whim Police Station, was the second runner-up discussed the matter of juvenile delinquency.
The three got the judge’s nod from the field of eight and their final places were judged by their responses to a final question.
“Your mother is terminally ill and needs care, you are a student at school and faced with a decision whether to leave school and get a job so as to be able to take care of your mother or place her in a home that offers care for the elderly; which will you chose and why?” chief judge Shondel Phillips asked the three finalists individually.
Both Peters and Crandon said they were going to leave school in that scenario. However, Willie said she was going to remain in school – as education is the key to success.
“If I drop out of school I would not have that education I need to fulfill my dreams…I will take my mother into a home where she is treated properly and well,” Willie continued.
The contestants participated in four categories; cultural wear, sportswear, talent and evening gung.
Before the final three were selected Peters had pushed herself out as a front runner having dominated in the earlier stages of the pageant but stumbled when the final question which was worth 200 points was put to her.
Peters won the best smile, best sportswear, most talented, most disciplined and the best cultural performance.
Willie was judged Miss Intelligent; she was also awarded for being the youngest participant. She also won the award for the best introduction.
The Miss Congeniality award went to Crandon.
The others who participated are Alliyah Busgith representing Number 51 Police Station under the platform ‘domestic violence’, Lisa Boyce representing Sisters Police Station and participated under the platform ‘Trafficking in Person’, Natasha Giddings representing Mibicuri Police Station using ‘teenage pregnancy’ as her platform, Natasha Mandakin representing Reliance Police Station ‘suicide’ being her platform and Cassandra Carrington representing Central Police Station. Her platform was ‘youth empowerment.
After being crowned at 02:05h on Sunday morning, Willie thanked all those who supported her.
“I intend to represent Region Six and make my Region proud,” she said as emotional tears rolled down her cheeks.
Similar pageants are being held in other administrative Regions. The national finals will be held on November 5, in the capital city. (G4)