Belize Has New Miss Belize Universe After 10 years

It had been ten years since Belize selected a representative for Miss Belize Universe, meaning that our country had not sent a representative to the Miss Universe Pageant in ten year. That long streak of absence will be broken as the new miss Belize 2016, Rebecca Rath, will represent Belize in the next Miss Universe Pageant on January 30, 2017 in Manila, Philippines.

Twenty-two-year-old Rath from Dangriga was crowned Miss Belize Universe on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at a sold out Bliss Center for Performing Arts in Belize City. Ten contestants vied for the prestige of wearing the crown in a pageant that included an opening dance presentation, cultural costume, swimsuit and evening gown competition. The question and answer segment was reserved for the top five contestants at the end of the pageant.

Miss Belize 2006 Maria Jeffery was honored in crowning Rebecca as the new Miss Belize 2016

Rebecca with her partents Therese and Tony Rath

Rebecca was shocked and ecstatic when it was also announced that she had won Miss Top Model, Beach Beauty Contest, People’s Choice (Online Votes), Miss Photogenic was presented to Dianira Rivera.

Ms. Rath won a scholarship from the Ministry of Education; a $10,000 wardrobe for the Miss Universe Pageant; travel to and from the pageant; and other prizes.

Runners up:
1st Marcia Moody, San Ignacio (2nd place)
2nd Dianira Rivera, San Pedro (3rd place)
3rd Neidy Rodriguez, Belize City (4th place)
4th Misty Swazo, Libertad (5th place)

Judges:
Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education
Sarita Acosta, Miss Belize 1979
Tanya McNab, McNab Visual Strategies
Karen Bevans, BTB Director
Dale McDougall, WAVE Radio
Deon Leslie, Belize City Councillor
Insukba Lyons (USA judge), SIBS International
Merickston Nicholson, Maruba Jungle Spa and Resort
Patrick Rodriguez, Best Western Belize Biltmore Hotel