The Tribune

THE MISS Bahamas Organisation is giving 13 beauties the chance to win the titles of Miss World Bahamas and Miss Universe Bahamas.

Under the theme “Beauty Personified”, preliminary events will take place throughout the months of July and early August; they include the Top Model Competition on July 25, followed by the Miss World Bahamas National Dress and Miss Universe Bahamas Costume Competition on July 26, the Miss Bahamas Swimsuit competition on July 27, and the Miss Bahamas Evening Gown and Talent Competitions on August 1.

Finally, the two queens will be crowned during the August 3 Miss Bahamas pageant double header event at Atlantis, Paradise Island.

To see who you favour as winners, check out this year’s contestants:

Miss Universe Grand Bahama Tomacina Culmer

Tomacina, who is affectionately called “Tomi” by friends, is no stranger to the modelling world, having won the second season of the Campari Caribbean Poster Girl competition. However, she is also a down to Earth tomboy of sorts, who studied carpentry and joinery in high school and later went on to study automotive technology at BTVI. Tomacina also enjoys playing flag football, sewing and singing, and is the lead singer in the band B12. In her free time, she is also a Brownies volunteer at the Freeport Primary School.

Miss World Andros Pylara Russell

Pylara is studying medicine at the College of the Bahamas and aspires to become a gynaecologist with the goal of one day opening her own private practice. She is very active in her church where she is a member of the dance troupe. She would like to one day meet Naomi Campbell whom she describes as an inspirational woman of colour.

Miss Universe Eleuthera Toni Bethel

Toni, who has a degree in Criminal Justice, has always had a passion for Bahamian culture. This ‘down home girl’ loves to fish, and is very close to her family and friends. Toni also enjoys public speaking, reading, cooking, acting and travelling.

Miss World New Providence Shanae Strachan

Shanae graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Hospitality Management at the age of 19. She is passionate about the development of women and girls as they strive for equality, nationally and worldwide. 

Shanae has travelled extensively, and has volunteered all over the world, including in Bulgaria, Peru and Uganda. She is a member of Active Intervention for Mothers, Roots for Development, NGO Committee on the Status of Women, NY; The Bahamas Red Cross; The Crisis Centre; The Bahamas National Trust; The Bahamas National Youth Council, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority; The Bahamas National Festival Commission and the founder of End the Silence Bahamas, a fundraising initiative for The Crisis Centre Family Island Programme.

Miss Universe Long Island Ominique Burrows

Ominique is not one to blend in with the crowd and believes in always being herself and having her own unique style. Not only is she an entrepreneur with her own pastry business called “Sea Treats”, but Ominique can also speak Spanish and is an experienced flute player who loves fashion and reading.

Miss World Bimini Cymphony Lockhart

Cymphony graduated valedictorian of her class and hopes to one day become a behavioural analyst, psychologist or counsellor. She describes herself as a quick learner who is determined to achieve her goals. Cymphony enjoys singing and was part of a gospel group which captured first place at the National Arts Festival. When she is not singing she enjoys a challenging game of ping pong.

Miss Universe New Providence Rokara Hepburn

Rokara comes from a family of statuesque beauties. Her cousin, Walteia Rolle, was the first Bahamian to be drafted into the WNBA, and she is determined to make her mark on the world. An avid gardener, Rokara also loves to sing, jog, write poetry, and model. In 2012, she was also named the face of Nu Woman magazine.

Miss World Eleuthera Krishanna Culmer

Krishanna is a pageant veteran who comes from a family of beauty queens. Every woman in Krishanna’s family, including her mother, has participated in pageants. She placed first runner-up in the 2009 Miss Teen Bahamas Pageant and has also competed in Miss Earth Bahamas, where she was the fourth runner-up, and Miss Global Bahamas. Her ambition is to become a lawyer.

Miss Universe Ocean Cay Gabrielle Wong

Gabrielle is a beauty with brains and brawn. She not only graduated as valedictorian from her high school, but was also an accomplished track and field athlete. She has since put down her cleats, but she is still a big dance and Junkanoo fanatic and members of the Culture Junkanoo group. Gabrielle is very active in her church, and in her free time enjoys writing poetry, reading, song writing and modelling.

Miss World Grand Bahama Rosetta Cartwright

Rosetta hails from Sweeting’s Cay, a small island near Grand Bahama. She is a Dean’s List student at the College of the Bahamas and is passionate about inspiring others to remain positive in the face of adversity. She would like to meet Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o, whom she says inspired her not to give up on her dreams.

Miss Universe Paradise Island Diandra Brown

Deandra is a model and actress who has appeared in the Bahamian film “Hurt people, Hurt People”. She is also a singer who has recorded two songs with the group Breakthrough. Deandra is a ‘preacher’s kid’, and is very active in her church. She is passionate about health and wellness through proper eating.

Miss World Ocean Cay Chantel O’Brian

Chantel is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing at the College of the Bahamas. She is an accomplished model and has appeared as the face of several campaigns. Chantel has competed in several pageants, including the 2013 Miss World Bahamas pageant where she placed first runner-up. She is very close to her mother and says she wants to continuously make her proud.

Miss World Paradise Island Rontre Rolle

Rontre’s philosophy is that life is a journey and the only way out is to move forward and not look back. She says her proudest moment was going off to college because she was able to prove wrong the persons who doubted her abilities as a child. She loves to sing and dance, and is an active volleyball and softball player.