Nineteen-year-old Bahamian student and part-time swim instructor, Azaria Clarke (centre), walked away with the 2009 Miss Global International Beauty Pageant title at RIU Montego Bay on Saturday night. She is flanked by second runner-up, Miss Jamaica, Adrianna Bryan (left), and Miss Nicaragua, Iris Ordenana. - Photos by Janet Silvera

WESTERN BUREAU:

She may not have been the most stunning contestant, but 19-year-old Miss Bahamas, Azaria Clarke, outdid her opponents with poise, intelligence, confidence and deportment to walk away with the 2009 Miss Global International Beauty Pageant title last Saturday night at RIU Montego Bay.

Outmatching five other contestants from Jamaica, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, the United States and Canada, the part-time student/swim instructor was viewed as 'most engaging'. Clarke also stood out in all the categories, copping the important sectional prize 'Most Aware' as well.

Miss Nicaragua, Iris Odenana, a graduate of the American Institute of Nicaragua, who won the sectional prize for the Most Outstanding Gown, placed second, while Miss Jamaica, Adrianna Bryan, who is employed in the entertainment department of the Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort in Ocho Rios, placed third. Bryan's dance routine was voted Most Talented by the judges.

"Azaria Clarke's charisma and magnetic personality were elements that had the judges inspired," head judge, Brian Brown, revealed, adding that not once did the six-footer, who tips the scale at 147 pounds, make a misstep.

But long before Brown and his team gave any confirmation, the large audience that converged at the amphitheatre of the Spanish resort knew their winner.

There is no doubt that the competition was tight, but Clarke, a graduate of College of The Bahamas, exhibited maturity beyond her years.

Asked if she was confident of taking the crown to her Caribbean homeland, which is renowned for its diversity, she responded, "I never knew I would be wearing the crown, because the competition was stiff from the very beginning".

Clarke said all the contestants, including herself, had weaknesses and strengths, "But strategically, we all played out our strengths to the best of our abilities".

Maturity

The second of five daughters, Clarke, who is keen on pursuing a career in obstetrics or gynaecology, said that her maturity comes with years of experience.

"You either use your situation as a springboard to bounce to higher heights or you can let them pile on you. I chose to springboard my situation," she said.

Her win was well-received by her opponents, with Ordenana lauding her as a queen deserving of her crown. "She has all the qualities of a queen," stated the Miss Nicaragua contestant.

Clarke took home prizes including US$500 cash, diamond jewellery courtesy of The Bahamas, a trophy, a gift basket from Soft Sheen, vacation for two at any RIU Resort in Jamaica and a trip for two to The Bahamas.

Miss Global International was established to promote tourism in Jamaica. The rights of the contest are sold to places such as Japan, Canada and The Bahamas, pageant organiser, Lachu Ramchandani, told The Gleaner.

Miss Global International Beauty Pageant is endorsed by the Jamaica Tourist Board.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com

'Most Talented' contestant in the Miss Global International Beauty Pageant, Miss Jamaica, Adrianna Bryan, executes her impressive dance routine during the competition at RIU Montego Bay last Saturday night.