Miss Guyana

Miss Anguilla

Miss Guyana

A spirited dancer, an aspiring lawyer, and a role model are just three of the hats worn by 21-year-old Kiswana Abimola Jefford.  This positive, self-assured, driven young woman has a passion for the art of dance and has made a name for herself with the Classique Dance Company.

This dancer also works at a law firm with hopes of pursuing her law degree sometime in the near future.  As one who loves public speaking and spreading awareness about the environment, she also spends much of her time reading.

Although one of her favourite authors is Sydney Shelton, she revels in the work of Caribbean writer Desiree Bernard.

She has participated in a number of pageants to include 2009 Miss Guyana Talented Teen pageant, Miss Caraibes Hibiscus pageant 2010, Miss Caribbean Culture 2011 pageant, Miss Guyana Jamzone 2011 pageant and Miss Guyana Earth 2010 pageant of which she is the reigning queen.  With a dancer’s body Jefford has managed to win the “Miss Beautiful Body” on a number of occasions.

You’ll see her live on the night of the Jaycees Caribbean Queen Show, Friday August 3 at the Antigua Recreation Ground.

Miss Anguilla

Twenty-two year old Olufunmike Banks-Devonish, Miss Anguilla, considers herself a very purpose-driven individual who still understands the importance of being charismatic, loving, optimistic and personable.

“I love people so that people, in turn, can love me,” she said. “I try to offer assistance wherever possible and I am known as the ‘big sister’ or ‘mother’ for many young girls on Anguilla.

Olufunmike recently graduated from Trent University, where she was also working part-time as international recruitment student assistant at the Trent International programme. She hopes to begin teaching in September.

During her spare time, she enjoys listening to music, dancing, acting, and public speaking.

“I am more an avid reader of poetry than I am of prose,” she said. “As such, Maya Angelou would have to be my favourite poet/author,” Olufunmike.

In the next five years, she envisions herself holding a PhD in Clinical Psychology and being very fluent in Spanish.

The philosophy to which this Jaycees Queen contestant subscribes is: “be the change you want to see in the world,” as well as, “Every setback is a set up for a comeback.”