Miss Universe Cayman Islands Contestants Sashed
The six contestants vying for the title of Miss Universe Cayman Islands 2024 were officially introduced during a sashing event held on the lawn of National Gallery of the Cayman Islands on Saturday night, 27 July.
The evening, which symbolised their official entry into the competition, featured the introduction of this year’s contestants, their sponsors and their personal platforms, as well as support to this year’s official platform, the Cayman Heart Foundation.
The pageant finale is scheduled for 31 Aug. at the Westin resort, with reigning queen Ileann Powery passing on her crown to her successor, who will represent the Cayman Islands at this year’s Miss Universe pageant in Mexico in November.
This year’s Miss Universe Cayman Islands contestants are:
Contestant #1: Arin Broderick, 24, representing George Town; sponsored by Health City Cayman Islands
Contestant #3: Brianna Wilson, 31, representing Bodden Town; sponsored by Enterprise Cayman
Contestant #4: Raegan Rutty, 22, representing East End; sponsored by Kirk Freeport
Contestant #5: Tiea McLaughlin, 23, representing Bodden Town; sponsored by CEL Beauty Centre and Supply
Contestant #6: Tracey Campbell, 19, representing Bodden Town; sponsored by A.P.S.
Contestant #7: Zhané Rambaran, 27, representing George Town; sponsored by LSG Designs
Derri Lee, national director of the local franchise, confirmed to the Cayman Compass that Belinda Ebanks-Grant, the pageant’s first married contestant with children, had dropped out of the competition due to “personal reasons”. She would have been contestant #2.
“We recognise that life happens, and we all face challenges along the way. Belinda is a beautiful woman inside and out and we wish her all the best in her future endeavours,” Lee said.
Nevertheless, the organisation continues to celebrate its historic move in adopting the global Miss Universe pageant’s more inclusive and the removal of age limits. The organisation now allows women of all ages, including mothers and married women, to compete.
During her remarks Saturday night, Lee explained the significance of the sashing ceremony, noting it “is important because it gives the contestants an opportunity to express themselves, by talking about the different aspects of the platform and highlighting their sponsors”.
“Once they are sashed, they are not only representing themselves but also the businesses that they have chosen to sponsor them,” she added.
Commenting on this year’s platform, Lee said, “[Cayman Heart Foundation] is near and dear to our hearts because some of us have lost family members and friends to cardiovascular diseases … [which] are the number one cause of death among women and can affect us at any age.”
Lee thanked the sponsors and stakeholders who continue to support the pageant organisation, and urged the community to support the contestants.
The event also featured a raffle prize drawing and local entertainment.
With only about four weeks remaining until the pageant, the contestants have already undergone rigorous training; participated in media appearances and interviews; and supported various initiatives, projects and events in the community.
Author: Shanda Gallego
Source: Cayman Compass
