Miss Cayman Islands Universe 2021

Its Official!! Pageant season has officially begun and we are proud to announce our 9 contestants who are vying for the crown on September 18th. Please follow our girls on instagram to stay updated with their journey!

From Left to Right:
Tania McLean @taniamclean_
Ashley Crowe @ash.m.cro
Kimberly Carlos @kimberlyacarlos
Aleya Solomon @leya_xo
Antaneka Ebanks @antanika.ebanks
Georgina Kerford @georgin._k
Marketa Ebanks @markita.ebanks
Aliyah Harrison @aliyahharrison_

Who will be the next Miss Cayman Islands Universe?

Photo from our Contestant Orientation at the Government Administration Building last night.

Yesterday our 2021 Miss Cayman Islands Universe contestants attended The Art of The Cocktail Party, a networking event organized by the Cayman Islands Government Office (CIGO-UK) held at Abacus.

Networking 101 covered several topics such as table etiquette, the art of the introduction, perfecting your elevator pitch, the dos and don’ts of cocktail drinking and following up: the key to being remembered.

Thank you to Cayman Islands Representative to the UK Tasha Ebanks Garcia and Cultural Attaché for the CIGO-UK, Jessica Bodden for a truly rewarding experience.

As we begin our series of introductions in No particular contestant order, Please Meet Aleya Solomon, Contestant #2

Age: 24

District: Bodden Town

Favourite Quote: “This too shall pass” – King Solomon

Aleya’s diverse academic and professional background takes her through flight attendant training to business administration to most recently employment in the legal industry. Her aspirations include travelling the world, volunteering abroad, caring for the elderly and finding time to do some modeling, amongst other things.
Having a younger brother who has been diagnosed with Autism and Severe Body dyspraxia and speech impairment has taught her that having a disability does not mean you are different, as everyone is different in their own unique way. She is always there to lend a hand to those in need and would encourage anyone to never give up on their dreams. Aleya enjoys dancing, doing crossword puzzles, swimming and spending time with her family.

@leya_xo

Who will be the next Miss Cayman Islands Universe?

#countdowntothecrown ….68 days to the crowning of Miss Cayman Islands Universe 2021!

Ladies & Gentlemen, Kimberly Carlos

Age: 27

District: West Bay

Favourite Quote: “To be kind is more important than to be right. Many times, what people need is not a brilliant mind that speaks but a special heart that listens." - F Scott Fitzgerald
With plans to pursue a Legal Practitioner’s Course in the near future, Kimberly is a certified practitioner in the trusts and corporate sector, a leader in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards programme, Cayman Connection United Kingdom (CCUK) Youth Ambassador, a Junior Achievement winner and a Red Cross Volunteer of the Year. Her hobbies include travelling to unique and exotic countries, spending time with her family and friends, and exploring the outdoors. Having a psychology degree, she has learned the importance of self-awareness, stress management and the necessity to have a healthy and happy lifestyle, both physically and mentally. Closest to her heart is mentoring young people and being of service to her beloved Cayman Islands.
Kimberly believes that one of the greatest gifts in life is the ability to influence others and she looks forward to utilizing the MCIU platform to continue making a positive change in our society and beyond.

@kimberlycarlos

Who will be the next Miss Cayman Islands Universe?

#countdowntothecrown ….66 days to the crowning of Miss Cayman Islands Universe 2021!

Vying for the 2021 crown we have, Tania McLean, contestant #4

Age: 25

District: George Town

Favourite Quote: “With God all things are possible.” - Matthew 19:26

Having competed and won several international beauty pageants, Tania considers herself a leader, responsible, God-fearing, and a genuinely confident young lady with self-discipline.
She is currently pursuing her degree in Marketing and International Business, with hobbies such as swimming, spending time with her family, baking, photography, yoga, gymnastics and listening to music.
As an ambassador for the Cayman Islands, she considers herself sociable, humble, polite and is blessed with good communication skills. She occupies self-confidence and is committed to her goals, respects others and believes we can make a difference if we all embrace and learn from each other, which brings about change.

@taniamclean_

Who will be the next Miss Cayman Islands Universe?

#countdowntothecrown ….66 days to the crowning of Miss Cayman Islands Universe 2021!

Introducing Georgina Kerford, Contestant #3

Age: 18

District: George Town

Favourite Quote: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can't – you're right,”
- Henry Ford

Star of the school and Student Council president, accurately describes this Cayman Islands beauty. Georgina has achieved a lifetime scholarship with Ms. Jackie’s School of Dance due to her enthusiasm for performance, she has also completed her Darkness to Light Training and has achieved her certificate. She is a team player, a compassionate person, and is always looking for experience and a challenge in any aspect to broaden her knowledge.
Georgina enjoys nature, community work, volunteering at the Human Society, and dancing in her spare time. Currently, she is pursuing a degree at UCCI in Education. For her, a Miss Cayman Islands Universe should be high-spirited, positive-minded, be CaymanKind and compassionate, represent true morals and manners, a welcoming person who has knowledge and history of the Cayman Islands and its people.

Contestant #1, Ladies & Gentlemen: Nerissa McLaughlin

Age: 20

District: East End

Favourite Quote: “In a world where you can be anything, be CaymanKind!”

Nerissa is not short of pageant experience as she has represented her district in many pageants, including Miss Teen Cayman Islands. At 20 years old, her zeal for CaymanKind and passion to inspire and affect positive change are just a few of the driving forces of becoming the next Miss Cayman Islands Universe. Nerissa’s academic achievements span a wide variety of accolades and mental health is an issue dear to her heart.
She has made it a lifelong goal to work in the mental health field and aspires to be a pioneer in her social work career. She looks forward to playing an integral role in the social betterment of the Cayman Islands and the worldwide community. When she’s not spending time with her family, or volunteering with the Alzheimers and Dementia Association, she enjoys dancing and swimming.

@nerissamclaughlin

Introducing contestant #6 Antanika Ebanks

Age: 24

District: Bodden Town

Favourite Quote: “Aut inveniam viam aut faciam (I shall either nd a way or make one)”

Antanika is a passionate, open-minded young lady currently completing a Bachelor’s of Business Administration degree at ICCI. In addition to working and studying, she has started her own business. Her hobbies include travelling, listening to music and going to the beach. She strives to be a positive role model to the youth, as she volunteers with the Cayman Islands Cadet Corps. For her, being a Miss Cayman Islands Universe provides another platform to connect with Cayman's youth and give back to the community.
If awarded the MCIU title, Antanika would use it to continue to encourage and empower the youth locally and internationally, while representing our beloved Isles.

@antanika.ebanks

Introducing Contestant #9, Ashley Crowe

Age: 27

District: George Town

Favourite Quote: “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any.” – Alice Walker

A classically trained actor currently making her debut at the internationally acclaimed Goodman Theatre in Chicago, Ashley graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Loyola University Chicago. In addition to her degree, she has trained in LA, NYC, and Chicago and attended the London Conservatoire Training at the London Dramatic Academy.
Her interests lie in social justice and activism particularly through art, service and lifestyle. She has a myriad of hobbies including travelling, cooking, working out and likes to live life on the edge. Ashley is very health conscious and believes in a constantly evolving dedication to mind, body and soul wellness. The MCIU platform is one on which she leads through example as an empowered woman dedicated to liberating others.

@ash.m.cro

Please meet Markita Kimberly Ebanks, contestant #7

Age: 28

District: Bodden Town

Favourite Quote: “The one thing that you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your vision. So write and draw and build and play and dance and live only as you can.” – Neil Gaiman

Markita has a host of hobbies that keep her busy, ranging from interior decorating and design, to nail art, event planning and more. She also dabbles in mixology, video games, painting/sketching, photography and is a self proclaimed "plant mom".
Having worked as a special needs educator for the past seven years, she has a vast range of experiences in getting to know, work and live with people of various cultures, capabilities, ages and beliefs. These experiences have awakened her ‘sense of purpose’ as a young Caymanian. She is determined to become a voice for the most vulnerable members of our society and looks forward to building a better, stronger and fairer Cayman Islands.

@markita.ebanks 

Who will take the crown and title of Miss Cayman Islands Universe 2021?

This year we are blessed to have an abundance of ladies registered. With 9 contestants taking the stage in September, this will make for one unforgettable evening.