Miss Belize is the title given to the winner(s) of beauty pageants held yearly in
BelizeBelize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
to select a national beauty ambassador to represent Belize at various international pageants such as
Miss UniverseMiss Universe is an annual international beauty contest that is run by the Miss Universe Organization. The pageant is the most publicized beauty contest in the world with 600 million viewers....
,
Miss WorldThe Miss World pageant is the oldest surviving major international beauty pageant. It was created in the United Kingdom by Eric Morley in 1951...
,
Miss EarthMiss Earth is an annual international beauty pageant promoting environmental awareness. Miss Earth is also one of the most publicized beauty contests in the world....
,
Miss InternationalMiss International is an annual international beauty pageant held since 1960.The current Miss International is Fernanda Cornejo, from Ecuador...
,
Miss SupranationalMiss Supranational is an annual international beauty contest run by the World Beauty Association.The contest was founded in 2009 by World Beauty Association in Płock, Poland. The current Miss Supranational is Monika Lewczuk, from Poland...
, and Miss Latin America to name a few. Miss Belize Universe is the highest regarded beauty pageant title in Belize.
In the early years, there was one pageant held yearly to select a Belizean representative for the Miss Universe pageant, with either that same winner or a runner-up representing Belize at Miss World. Recently there have been the emergence of different pageants to select representatives for the different international pageants as opposed to just one pageant with several winners.
Some of the major pageant companies and organizations include
Pageants Belize Ltd. (Michael Arnold); Queen of the Bay Committee (Emma Boiton);
Queen of the Jewel Ltd. (Opal Enriquez);
Belize International Pageants Ltd. (Darlene Clarke Campbell); Leilah Pandy Enterprises Pageantry & Modeling (LPELL) (Leilah Pandy, former Miss Belize); &
Teens Belize Organization (Kenny & Tracey Jacobs).
Even though Belize's performance at international pageants has been less than stellar, Belize's presence at regional pageants. such as Miss Costa Maya International, has been respectable, garnering two winners and a few finalists. Beauty ambassadors who have achieved some success for Belize include Sarita Diana Acosta, Opal Enriquez, Leilah Anne Magdalena Pandy, Maria Jeffery, Azizi Juanita Hoy, and Liliana Mia Nuñez.
In 2008, one of the biggest controversies arose. Miss Belize Universe 2008, Melissa Tanisha Vernon
held a press conference in March in which various queens competing under Pageants Belize banner – Miss Belize Universe 2007-08 Tanisha Vernon, her predecessor Maria Jeffrey, Miss Belize World 2007-08 Felicita Arzu, Mini Belize Venisha Price, Miss Belize Earth Leilah Pandy, Miss Belize Top Model Tracey Robateau, Mini Universe Princess - lashed out at Pageants Belize director Margaret Johnson for not keeping her promises and handing over prizes the young women won, and denounced various snafus that dented their chances at success in the Miss Universe and Miss World contests held, respectively, in Sanya, China last December, and Mexico City, Mexico, last May.
For the first time ever this year there is a
Mister Belize who will be representing Belize at Mister Jade Universe in December. There is also a yearly pageant (
Queen of the Bay) to select a beauty ambassador to oversee the festivities of the remembrance of the
Battle of St. George's CayeThe Battle of St. George's Caye was a short military engagement that lasted from 3 to 10 September 1798, off the coast of what is now Belize...
.
Trivia about Miss Belize:
Felicita Arzu is the first Miss Belize World to make the Top 15 for the Miss World Talent Competition.
Tanisha Vernon is the first Miss Belize to actually lash out at the wrong doings (on large scale) of Pageants Belize Ltd. then Director, M. Johnson. She was supported by other personalites countrywide.
Karen Anita Russell (Miss Belize World 2002 & Queen of the Bay 1995) is one of the ladies who have held both the Miss Belize & Queen of the Bay titles.
When Karen Russell went to Miss World, she stirred up waves as she spoke about natural beauty and beauty that is made over.
The last elected Miss Belize Universe is Melissa Tanisha Vernon (07-08); Miss Belize World is Kadejah Kenifah Tunn (2011); Miss Belize Earth is runner-up Kimberly Robateau (2011) who replaced the winner Monique Habet for undisclosed reasons; Miss Belize International is Annlyn Nicole Apolonio, officially
Queen of the Jewel (2011).
Below are a list of the different beauty ambassadors that have represented or will represent Belize in various international pageants.
Miss Belize Universe
| Year | Name | Placement in Miss Universe | Awards |
| 1975 |
Pelisamay (Lisa) Longsworth |
- |
- |
| 1976 |
Janet Joan Joseph |
- |
- |
| 1977 |
Dora Maria Phillips |
- |
- |
| 1978 |
Christina Margarita Ysaguirre |
- |
- |
| 1979 |
Sarita Diana Acosta |
Top 12 |
- |
| 1980 |
Ellen Marie Clarke |
- |
- |
| 1981 |
Ivette Zabaneh |
- |
- |
| 1982 |
Sharon Kay Auxillou |
- |
- |
| 1983 |
Shirlene Dianne McKoy |
- |
- |
| 1984 |
Lisa Patricia Ramírez |
- |
- |
| 1985 |
Jennifer (Jenny) Woods |
- |
- |
| 1986 |
Romy Ellen Taegar |
- |
- |
| 1987 |
Holly Emma Edgell |
- |
- |
| 1989 |
Andrea Shermane McKoy |
- |
- |
| 1990 |
Ysela Antonia Zabaneh |
- |
- |
| 1991 |
Josephine (Josie) Gault |
- |
- |
| 1993 |
Melanie Smith |
- |
- |
| 1995 |
Deborah Wade |
- |
- |
| 1996 |
Ava Lovell |
- |
- |
| 1997 |
Sharon Domínguez |
- |
- |
| 1998 |
Elvia Lilia Vega |
- |
- |
| 1999 |
Viola Jeffery |
- |
- |
| 2000 |
Shiemicka La-Shanne Richardson |
- |
- |
| 2003 |
Becky Belinda Bernard |
- |
- |
| 2004 |
Leilah Anne Magdalena Pandy |
- |
- |
| 2005 |
Andrea Erlington |
- |
- |
| 2007 |
Maria Jeffery |
- |
- |
| 2008 |
Melissa Tanisha Vernon |
Withdrew |
- |
- Semifinalist
Miss Belize World
| Year | Name | Placement in Miss World | Awards |
| 1987 |
Janine Sylvestre |
- |
- |
| 1988 |
Pauline Young |
- |
- |
| 1989 |
Martha Badillo |
- |
- |
| 1990 |
Ysela Antonia Zabaneh |
- |
- |
| 1991 |
Josephine (Josie) Gault |
- |
- |
| 2002 |
Karen Anita Russell |
- |
- |
| 2003 |
Dalila Violeta Vanzie Montano |
- |
- |
| 2007 |
Felicita (Leesha) Arzu |
- |
- |
| 2008 |
Charmaine ChinapenCharmaine Chinapen is a beauty pageant contestant from Belize. A neurosurgery student at the University of St. John's in New York, USA., she represented Belize in Miss World 2008, held on December 13 in Johannesburg, South Africa...
|
- |
- |
| 2009 |
Norma Leticia (Lety) Lara |
- |
- |
| 2010 |
Jessel Monique Lauriano |
- |
- |
| 2011 |
Kadejah Kenifah Tunn |
- |
- |
Miss Belize Earth
| Year | Name | Placement in Miss Earth | Awards |
| 2007 |
Leilah Anne Magdalena Pandy |
- |
Top 5 Environmental Award |
| 2008 |
Larriean Samuels |
Withdrew |
- |
| 2009 |
Sherrylee Rodriguez |
Withdrew |
- |
| 2010 |
Natasha Nicole Acosta |
Withdrew |
- |
| 2011 |
Kimberly Ann Robateau |
|
|
Miss Belize International
| Year | Name | Placement in Miss International | Awards |
| 2010 |
Chantae Chanice Guy |
Withdrew |
- |
| 2011 |
Annlyn Nicole Apolonio |
- |
- |
Miss Belize Supranational
| Year | Name | Placement in Miss Supranational | Awards |
| 2010 |
Fiona Usher |
Withdrew |
- |
| 2011 |
Brittany Cabral |
Withdrew |
- |
Miss Belize Latin America
| Year | Name | Placement in Miss Latin America | Awards |
| 2000 |
Nora De La Rosa |
- |
- |
| 2006 |
Vanessa Chan |
- |
- |
| 2008 |
Iris Jessie Medina |
- |
- |
| 2009 |
Liliana Mia Nuñez |
- |
Miss Friendship; Best Cultural Costume |
| 2011 |
Cricel Castillo |
- |
- |
Miss Belize Costa Maya
| Year | Name | Placement in Miss Costa Maya International | Awards |
| 1996 |
Yvette Graniel |
- |
- |
| 1997 |
Gaylene Desiree Dawson |
1st Runner-up |
- |
| 1998 |
Charlotte Lynette Romero Dominguez |
- |
- |
| 1999 |
Vanya Diane Vasquez |
- |
Miss Piel Coppertone |
| 2000 |
Zoe Roberson |
- |
- |
| 2001 |
Melina Diaz |
- |
Best National Costume |
| 2002 |
Becky Belinda Bernard |
- |
- |
| 2003 |
Leilah Anne Magdalena Pandy |
Winner |
Best National Costume |
| 2004 |
Farah Evans |
2nd Runner-up |
- |
| 2005 |
Opal Enriquez |
1st Runner-up |
- |
| 2006 |
Ninfa Juan |
- |
- |
| 2007 |
Maria Jeffery |
Winner |
- |
| 2008 |
Iris Jessie Medina |
- |
- |
| 2009 |
Felicita (Leesha) Arzu |
- |
- |
| 2010 |
Liliana Mia Nuñez |
- |
- |
| 2011 |
Idolly Louise Saldivar |
- |
- |
- Winner
- Finalist
Miss Belize Panamerican
| Year | Name | Placement in Miss Panamerican International | Awards |
| 1994 |
Faride Espadas |
- |
- |
| 2003 |
Opal Enriquez |
Winner |
- |
| 2011 |
Annlyn Nicole Apolonio |
- |
- |
- Winner
Miss Belize Piel Dorada
| Year | Name | Placement in Miss Piel Dorada International | Awards |
| 2010 |
Tatiana Rivero |
- |
- |
| 2011 |
Idolly Louise Saldivar |
- |
2nd, Miss Piel Dorada Internet |
Miss Belize Ethnic
| Year | Name | Placement in Miss Ethnic World International | Awards |
| 2011 |
Tyler Marie Savery |
3rd Runner-up |
|
- Finalist
Mrs Belize World
| Year | Name | Placement in Mrs World | Awards |
| 2011 |
Tracey Robateau |
|
|
Miss Belize Teenager Universe
| Year | Name | Placement in Miss Teenager Universe | Awards |
| 2010 |
Daniella Wooley |
- |
Miss Photogenic |
| 2011 |
Annabell Haylock |
- |
- |
Miss Belize Teen World
| Year | Name | Placement in Miss Teen World | Awards |
| 2009 |
Tracey Christine Jacobs |
Withdrew |
- |
Miss Belize Global
| Year | Name | Placement in Miss Global | Awards |
| 1999 |
Dawn Sampson |
- |
- |
Miss Belize Teen International
| Year | Name | Placement in Miss Teen International | Awards |
| 1999 |
Elvia Lilia Vega |
- |
- |
Miss Teen Belize
| Year | Name | Placement in Miss Teen World | Awards |
| 1987 |
Betty Jean Usher |
| - |
| 1999 |
Christina Astheimer |
- |
- |
| 2002 |
Julie Ann Fletcher |
- |
- |
| 2003 |
Recie Pollard |
- |
- |
| 2009 |
Jacy Pau |
- |
- |
Miss Belize Teen Internet
| Year | Name | Placement in Miss Teen Internet | Awards |
| 2007 |
Tracey Christine Jacobs |
2nd Runner-up |
- |
- Finalist
Miss Belize Top Model
| Year | Name | Placement in Miss Top Model International | Awards |
| 2007 |
Tracey Robateau |
- |
- |
| 2010 |
Chantae Chanice Guy |
- |
- |
Miss Belize Tropico
| Year | Name | Placement in Miss Tropico | Awards |
| 2008 |
Liliana Mia Nuñez |
- |
Miss Friendship |
Miss Belize Rainforest
| Year | Name | Placement in Miss Rainforest International | Awards |
| 1999 |
Theresita Sosa |
- |
- |
| 2000 |
Samantha Carlos |
- |
- |
| 2001 |
Karen Anita Russell |
- |
- |
| 2002 |
Erin Quiroz |
- |
- |
| 2007 |
Vanessa Chan |
2nd Runner-up |
3rd Swimsuit Competition |
- Finalist
Miss Belize Mini Universe
| Year | Name | Placement in Miss Mini Universe | Awards |
| 2007 |
Azizi Juanita Hoy |
- |
Mini Universe Princess, Miss Talent |
| 2008 |
Venisha Price |
Withdrew |
- |
Miss Belize Mesoamerica
| Year | Name | Placement in Miss Mesoamerica | Awards |
| 2003 |
Leilah Anne Magdalena Pandy |
2nd Runner-up |
Miss Academic; Miss Culture |
- Finalist
Miss Belize Coffee
| Year | Name | Placement in International Queen of Coffee | Awards |
| 2003 |
Becky Belinda Bernard |
- |
- |
Miss Belize Nuestra Belleza
| Year | Name | Placement in Nuestra Belleza International | Awards |
| 1993 |
Deserine Usher |
- |
Miss Congeniality |
| 1994 |
Sharon Dominguez |
- |
- |
| 1995 |
Nazra Romero |
- |
- |
| 1996 |
Sandra Manzanero |
- |
Miss Friendship |
| 1997 |
Elvia Lilia Vega |
- |
- |
Miss Belize Caribbean
| Year | Name | Placement in Miss Caribbean | Awards |
| 1996 |
Ava Lovell |
- |
- |
Mister Belize Jade Universe
| Year | Name | Placement in Mister Jade Universe | Awards |
| 2011 |
Jhoshi Alexander Najarro Valencia |
|
|
Mister Belize Elegance International
| Year | Name | Placement in Mister Elegance International | Awards |
| 2009 |
Gareth Jacobs |
- |
- |
| 2010 |
Daniel Cann |
- |
- |
Queen of the Bay
| Year | Name | Area Representing |
| 1991 |
Betty Jean Usher |
Stann Creek |
| 1993 |
Deserine Usher |
Stann Creek |
| 1994 |
Sharon Dominguez |
Orange Walk |
| 1995 |
Karen Anita Russell |
Belize City |
| 1998 |
Shari Williams |
Toledo |
| 1999 |
Samantha Carlos |
Orange Walk |
| 2000 |
Stephanie Young |
Belize City |
| 2001 |
Shelly Gillet |
Belize City |
| 2002 |
Ebony Lyall |
Corozal |
| 2003 |
Shajira Sajia |
Corozal |
| 2004 |
Sherima Usher |
Stann Creek |
| 2005 |
Carrie Wong K |
Stann Creek |
| 2006 |
Shadine Ottley |
Belize City |
| 2007 |
Ronnie Coye |
Belmopan |
| 2008 |
Karima Card |
Black Orchid (Belize City) |
| 2009 |
Reena Beverly Usher |
Stann Creek |
| 2010 |
Audralee Enriquez |
Port Loyola |
| 2011 |
Amanda Taylor |
Barrier Reef (Belize City) |
Miss Belize Queen of the Bay New York
| Year | Name | Placement in Queen of the Bay New York | Awards |
| 2010 |
Zeripha Darcel Arnold |
1st Runner-up |
- |
| 2011 |
Artese Fairweather |
Winner |
- |
- Winner
- Finalist
External links
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GFDL.
