BELIZE CITY, Sat. Aug. 21, 2021– The 76th annual Queen of the Bay Pageant took place over the weekend, and was viewed virtually for the second consecutive year. There were eight contestants: Karisa Oliva of Corozal, Melanie Tillett of Orange Walk, Druewel Jones of Belize District, Jael Rivero of Belmopan, Vanesa Salazar of Benque Viejo, Allesandra Valdez of San Ignacio/Santa Elena, Anelie Williams of Stann Creek and Karla Godoy of Toledo.

In the end it was Ms. Druewel Jones, representing Belize, who emerged as this year’s Queen of the Bay winner and was awarded a scholarship to the University of Belize by the Ministry of Education, in addition to other prizes. Ms. Jones, 24, who is a graduate of St. Catherine Academy and is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing Science, also won the title of “Miss Eloquence”.

First runner-up in the pageant was Ms. Karla Godoy from Toledo. Ms. Godoy, 20, is pursuing a degree in Tourism Management and Business Management. Ms. Godoy is also a young entrepreneur whose small business is providing employment in her community. She won the titles of “Best Dressed” and “Best Curtsy”.

Ms. Melanie Tillett, who represented Orange Walk, was second runner-up. The twenty-two-year-old is pursuing studies in the fields of Accounting and Management with hopes to attain a Master’s degree. Ms. Tillett is a returning delegate from the 2017 Queen of the Bay pageant, where she had ranked 2nd. Melanie also won in the “Best Talent” and “Miss Photogenic”categories.

Ms. Karisa Oliva from Corozal was named “Miss Amity Inner Glow”— a category voted on by her fellow delegates. All pageant contestants as well as the Queen of the Bay Designate and the reigning Queen of the Bay, Ms. Myra Sibrian, received an assortment of gifts donated by multiple local sponsors.