“We did it!” commented Miss Belize Destinee Arnold, expressing the happiness of the entire county of Belize as she was crowned the new Miss Costa Maya Queen on Thursday, August 1, 2013. She brought the coveted crown back home after six years, giving Belize its third title as Miss Costa Maya.
The Reina de la Costa Maya Pageant proved to be a powerhouse pageant, once again capturing the attention of an entire nation who watched on national television and online via live stream courtesy of Channel 5. Attendants at the festival grounds enjoyed all the energy, grace and beauty that the seven contestants brought to the stage to represent their country.
The Miss Costa Maya Pageant contestants included Miss Belize Destinee Arnold, Miss Costa Rica Andrea Rojas, Miss El Salvador Fatima Yolanda Mauricio Magandi, Miss Mexico Artemisa Rivera Montañes, Miss Nicaragua Ariadna Judith Orellana, Miss Panama Cleirys Velasquez, Miss Honduras Monica Alexis Elwing Gough. Miss Guatemala Alejandra Morales Teo, unfortunately could not participate in the pageant as she had to be flown back home due to a medical emergency and has reported that she is recovering.
The pageant stepped out of the box this year presenting unique cultural, swimsuit and evening gown segments that were choreographed with a potpourri of songs. The cultural costume segment was quite possibly one of the most exotic and stunning ever in the history of the pageant. All of the costumes were elaborate depictions of each county’s rich cultural history.
Miss Belize
Miss Costa Rica
Miss El Salvador
Miss Honduras
Miss Mexico
Miss Nicaragua
Miss Panama
Miss Belize depicted the hard-working Maya woman, Miss Costa Rica represented the an indigenous princess, Miss El Salvador was a Fertility Goddess, Miss Honduras captured the Maya War God with a red plumed costume, Miss Mexico was the Hidden Dame , Miss Nicaragua represented the Dancing Devils of Jinotepe and Miss Panama represented El Diablo Sucio (Dirty Devil).
What followed were the swimwear and evening gown competitions with entertainment in between provided by the Ballet Folklorico de Quintana Roo and the Belize Dance Company. With much anticipation from the excited crowd, the pageant concluded with the announcement of Miss Panama placing in third place and also winning best cultural costume, Miss Nicaragua placing second and Miss Belize taking the Costa Maya Pageant crown for the third time for the country.
Playful and coquettish as she is, Destinee Arnold says that she attributes her win to 80% attitude and 20% on beauty. She commented that she is proud of her country and people and will do her best to educate people abroad about its rich Maya heritage, now that she carries the Costa Maya crown.
