In what spectators will remember as one of the most competitive cultural pageants in recent memory, Miss Dangriga, Alisha Bermudez, 15, captured the highly coveted title of Miss Garifuna at the Miss Garifuna Belize National Talent held at the Multi Sports Complex in Seine Bight Village on Saturday night, November 9.

In all, there were seven hopefuls who participated in a spirited display of Garifuna language, dance and folklore:

Miss Punta Gorda (Peini), Jackieva Alvarez, 18; Miss Hopkins, Pamela Zuniga, 19; Miss Belize City, Samantha Augustine, 19; Miss Belmopan, Denise Lopez, 17; Miss Georgetown, Sheraine Martinez, 17; and Miss Seine Bight, Darcell Valerio, 16, were the competitors in this year’s pageant.

(Photo and report courtesy pageant coordinator, Mary Enriquez of the Belize City branch of the National Garifuna Council.)