BELIZEAN BORN SHANALEIGH MEJIA VYING FOR MISS TROPICAL PARADISE CONTEST IN NEGRIL JAMAICA OCTOBER 10TH, 2009

By: Wellington C. Ramos

              Recently I had the opportunity to meet a very beautiful, talented and industrious Belizean young lady by the name of Shanaleigh Mejia who was born in Belize City . She is the former Miss Queen of the Bay New York 2008-2009 and just recently handed over her crown to the new Miss Queen of the Bay New York, Sheryl Tillett, who won the title at a contest held at Tropical Paradise Ballroom Brooklyn, NY on Saturday August 8, 2009 . Ms Mejia spent most of her younger years living in Belize City Belize and later migrated to New York City .  She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and then secured a position with the New York City Council where she is currently employed as a Director of Field Operation and Community Affairs.

            When I interviewed her, she indicated that this contest poses a great challenge to her because she is the only non-Jamaican that made the finals at the Miss Tropical Paradise Semi-Final Pageant Saturday June 27, 2009 at Elmont Jewish Center in Elmont , NY , where she placed 1st runner up. Therefore, Ms. Mejia plus the top six finalists who were selected will all go to Negril Jamaica to compete among other contestants for the title of Miss Tropical Paradise . Each contestant has their own Manager to promote their candidacy for this competition and their task is to ensure their candidate the crown.

       However, on October the 10th, 2009 when these aspiring beautiful young women arrive there, it will also be home for the battle of the most beautiful and talented Caribbean women in the region.

           For her to be successful in accomplishing this goal, she will need the support of many donors in the community to support her candidacy. The candidate and her manager have been working diligently to get financial support from relatives, friends and members of the community. So far the contributions have been coming in very slow. The candidate would be appreciative of any ideas, suggestions or support that anybody in the general public may have to assist her in accomplishing this goal. Ms Mejia assured me that when she goes to Negril, she will be representing Belize and all those individuals who rallied behind her and gave her support. If you or anybody would like to support Ms. Mejia, you can contact her at (646) 259-2461 and Email: shana_leigh_424@hotmail.com .  She will be looking forward to your response to this article.