The Wesleyan movement in Belize is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. It is a celebration of things past, but also of the future, and the promise of tomorrow is held right inside the Wesley student body. Next weekend they’ll be showing some of it off with the miss Wesley pageant. We found out today that it’s more than just a pageant – it’s a fundraiser with heart.
Venice Saul, Member - Pageant Committee
“We need to start focusing on positives in Belize. We are bombarded with negatives all around us and where we can find positives we should.”
Feliece Zelaya is one of seven young ladies from Wesley College who will be showcasing their talent to raise money.
Melissa Card, Pageant Contestant
“I am Melissa Card proudly representing the district of Cayo, 16 years of age and I think you should come out and support because it will be the most experienced and fun pageant you will ever attend.”
Elsira Foster, Pageant Contestant
“My name is Elsira Foster and I am 16 years old. I am representing the district Belize City. I think you all should come out because it is going to be a wonderful and exciting pageant.”
Feliece Zelaya, Pageant Contestant
“You should all come out and support us in the celebration of our 125th anniversary.”
These contestants are celebrating their school’s anniversary and trying to raise eight thousand dollars to purchase supplies that students sometimes cannot afford.
Venice Saul,
“We do not have a lot of money and here is an opportunity for us to raise some funds. Much of the funds that we raise go towards helping the students with books that we purchase so that they can get it to use free.”
Michelle Swift, Pageant Contestant
“I am 17 year old Michelle Swift, a proud candidate of the Miss Wesley College pageant and I am proudly representing the district of Orange Walk. I believe the public should come out support these seven fabulous young ladies because we’re not all about beauty – we are also about knowledge.”
Ashley Gladden, Pageant Contestant
“I think that you guys should come and support us because there are seven, talented, young ladies. Thank you.”
Diandra Mejia, Pageant Contestant
“I am 18 year old Diandra Mejia representing the beautiful district of Corozal. I think you should come and support our pageant because it is unique and special and it includes seven fantastic young ladies, including myself.”
Sasha Reneau, Pageant Contestant
“Hi I am 18 year old Sasha Reneau proudly representing the nation’s capital of our country, Belmopan. I believe that you should come out and support us with this pageant because it will be one of the most exciting, hilarious, and outgoing pageant you’ve ever been. So come out and support us.”
The young ladies range in age from sixteen to eighteen. It’s the age group that crime has affected the most, another reason why the students are doing something positive.
Venice Saul,
“We need to do things to get the youths involved and to steer them away from the guns and violence and so on. It is my belief that a lot of the young people around Belize, on the streets and in the schools, they are talented. The young people of Belize are among the most intelligent I have met in my roaming the Caribbean. But we keep losing them.”
The Miss Wesley pageant takes place on April twenty sixth, next week Saturday at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets can be bought at the school.
