For the first time in the history of the Miss Bahamas Organization (MBO), two Grand Bahama queens won both the Miss Universe Bahamas and Miss World Bahamas crowns. Tomii Culmer and Rosetta Cartwright took home the Miss Universe Bahamas and Miss World Bahamas crowns, respectively, on Sunday, August 3, during the Miss Bahamas double header pageant at the Atlantis Resort.
Miss World Grand Bahama, Rosetta Cartwright, bested six other competitors to win the coveted Miss World Bahamas title. Cartwright also won awards for most photogenic, best talent, and the people's choice award.
Shanae Strachan, who also won awards for best national dress and best evening gown, was first runner up. Chantel O'Brian took home the BTC multi-media and beauty with a purpose awards, and was second runner up. Rontre Rolle was third runner up, and won the Miss Congeniality Award, as well as best swimsuit.
Miss Universe Grand Bahama, Tomii Culmer, was announced the winner of the Miss Universe Bahamas Pageant. Culmer bested five other contestants to win the pageant, in addition to awards for best evening gown, best costume, and best swimsuit.
Miss Congeniality and people's choice winner, Rokara Hepburn, was first runner up. Ominique Burrows was second runner up and the winner of the most photogenic award. Toni Bethel rounded out the top four, and won the BTC multi-media award.
"We are very pleased with the results," said MBO President Michelle Malcolm. "It was an extremely tight competition this year, but we are confident that Rosetta and Tomi will represent not only the Miss Bahamas Organization well, but also The Bahamas, and of course the Grand Bahama Community."
The newly crowned Cartwright said that she was "speechless and still in shock" but expressed her gratitude to her sponsor, Conch and Kalik Restaurant, as well as her district directors, the MBO, her fellow contestants, and her family and friends.
Culmer said that she was looking forward to sharing her Miss Universe Bahamas win with the little girls of the Brownies troop that she mentors.
"I promised them that I would bring home the crown, and I am ecstatic that I am able to do just that," said Culmer. "It is so important for little girls to love themselves. When I was younger, I didn't like what I saw in the mirror, but, thanks to a number of supportive people in my life, I grew to love myself, and I want to be that person who can help build young girls' confidence, and teach them to love every single aspect about themselves."
Model, entrepreneur and television star Nicole Murphy, was a judge for the Miss Bahamas Universe Pageant. She said it was a tough job to choose a winner, but Culmer's confidence set her apart from the other contestants.
"The way she spoke, her presence, what she spoke about, the way she answered her questions -- her gown was absolutely stunning! She just took over the stage," said Murphy.
Jerome Sawyer was the host for the evening, and was joined by model and former Miss Bahamas winner Braneka Bassett, for the Miss World Bahamas Pageant, as well as business woman and former beauty queen Leslia Miller-Brice for the Miss Universe Bahamas Pageant.
Bahamian singer, Jayne Doh, performed the official Miss Bahamas crowning song, Cover Girl, during both pageants, in addition to her single "Bounce" at the Miss Universe Bahamas Pageant. Angelique Sabrina performed in both competitions while Chase Fernander performed during the Miss Universe Bahamas Pageant.
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