Controversies at the Miss Bahamas 2009 pageant

There's a hot discussion on the recently concluded Miss Bahamas 2009 pageant in beauty pageant forums and blogs especially the controversies involving candidates and the selection of the winners.

Obviously, many fans have been disappointed.

Another controversy on the pageant which I failed to highlight in my first blog entry, fans noticed that the answers of the winners are all rehearsed except for Amanda Appleyard who was the only one who gave the most honest answer to the final question. Amanda was crowned Miss Bahamas International.

Since the whole world is watching Bahamas (Due to the fact that it is in this beautiful island where the Miss Universe 2009 pageant will be taking place) let's try to know more about the 22-year old Enna Thomas who stands 5'8".

Enna is the candidate who walked out at the middle of the pageant when her name was not called for the semi-final round. She was an earlier favourite and got two special awards. Despite these awards, she failed to advance.

In fact, one poster commented in my blog that Enna actually won SIX special awards. Take note of that, it is six and NOT two. According to the anonymous poster, "when the pageant organizer realized thats Miss Thomas was no longer in the building, they did not announce the other 4 awards."

Maybe someone from Bahamas can confirm this since I still don't have any idea on this.

Anyways, I found out a very interesting interview of Enna by Miss Bahamas Organization. I am just sharing this in order for us, non-Bahamas residents, to know something about the beautiful lady who walked out from the pageant.

1. WHY DID YOU JOIN THE MISS BAHAMAS UNIVERSE COMPETITION?

It has always been my dream to become Miss Bahamas; I decided to join the 2009 Miss Bahamas Universe competition because of the international media attention that this pageant is receiving, as the host for the 2009 Miss Universe pageant. This media attention will give me an opportunity to reach thousands of individuals as I share my platform “Save the Children”.

2. IF YOU WERE TO BECOME MISS BAHAMAS 2009, WHAT WOULD BE THE FIRST THING THAT YOU WOULD DO?

The first thing I would have to do is thank God, the judges, my sponsors, my family and friends for their support and congratulate all of the contestants because we are all winners at the end of the day.

3. WHAT IS THE MOST UNIQUE OR UNUSUAL THING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO YOU IN YOUR LIFE?

In 2005, three weeks after starting my sophomore semester at the University of New Orleans I witnessed firsthand the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Fortunately, I evacuated to Baton Rouge three days before the storm hit. I spent the next few days watching the destruction of New Orleans and I knew right away that I wanted to do something to help. I immediately signed up to volunteer at a local shelter for refugees from New Orleans. I helped displaced families with meals, homework, and social support but I felt like this wasn’t enough. So, in January 2006 just two months after the city opened back up I moved back to New Orleans to help rebuild and revitalize the city. I spent my weekends gutting out homes and attending many community events.

This experience has taught me that in life there are going to be obstacles in life that may slow us down but you do not have to let any obstacle stop you from pursuing your dreams. Immediately after the storm I resumed my semester at L.S.U in Baton Rouge and returned to the University of New Orleans when it re-opened the following January. I completed my Bachelors in Management in the Fall of 2007, a semester early.

4. DO YOU THINK THE SWIMSUIT CONTEST AT BEAUTY PAGEANTS DEGRADES WOMEN?

I personally don't find the swimsuit contest at beauty pageants degrading but I feel like whether or not the swimsuit contest degrades women depends on the individual. If a women is not comfortable and confident with her body then yes when she puts on a swimsuit she may feel degraded, but for those ladies who are comfortable and confident with who they are physically, the swimsuit contest can empower them as they display their confidence.

5. GIVE AN IDEA OF WHAT YOUR NATIONAL COSTUME WILL BE AND WHAT DOES IT REPRESENT?

My costume will be Enchanting! It represents a mythical element of one of our Bahamian islands and captures the essence of what attracts so many to our shores.

6. WHAT ARE THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO AS MISS BAHAMAS 2009?

Firstly, I would like to reach out to the youth in our community. It is important for them to know that we are all our brothers and sisters keepers, and serving each other increases our national self worth. While pursuing my Masters Degree in Business Administration in New Orleans, I have been tutoring children in the city whose parents are incarcerated. Being there for them while their parents are serving time shows them that they live in a community where they are loved and cared for and teaches them that loving and serving each other is the key to happiness.

Secondly, I would like to help preserve our natural environment. From the ecologically pristine turtle nesting grounds in Curtis Creek, Mayaguana to the magnificent barrier reef in Andros, The Bahamas has an array of natural beauties that need to be protected so that they can be enjoyed for generations to come.

Thirdly, one of the three things that I would like to do is see that the government conducts a referendum on legalizing gambling in The Bahamas.

7. IF YOU HAD TO RESIDE ON ONE OF THE FAMILY ISLANDS IN THE BAHAMAS, WHICH WOULD IT BE AND WHY.

If I had to reside on one of the family islands in The Bahamas it would have to be Cat Island. Proclaimed to be one of the most beautiful islands of the Bahamas, Cat Island has everything that I am looking for in a family island! The Rake n Scrape Festivals would keep me entertained, the golden sand beaches and unspoiled turquoise waters would keep me relaxed, and my trips to the Hermitage would keep me fit as I would have to travel up 63 meters up Mt. Alvernia the highest point in our nation to get to the top of this Sacred monastery and that’s why I choose Cat Island!

8. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR AND WHY?

My favorite color is definitely black because it represents strength and power and is stronger and more powerful than any other color. Black is also mysterious and is associated with the unknown like the Black Holes of Andros.

9. TELL VIEWERS A LITTLE ABOUT THE BAHAMAS AND WHY YOU LOVE IT SO!

There is no place on earth like The Bahamas - an archipelago of natural beautiful islands with the friendliest most beautiful people. Each island has its own unique culture, topography, ecology, personality, and history. From marvel of the Glass Window Bridge in Eleuthera to the spectacular rolling hills of Cat Island the Bahamas is awe-inspiring and diverse and a place to be loved.