‘I kept trying until I finally won’ – Miss Bartica Regatta Queen

Apr 12, 2026 News

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By Telesha Ramnarine

(Kaieteur News) – Novita Pawelae’s love for pageantry dates back as far as she can remember. At just 12 years old, she competed in the Little Miss Batavia Heritage Pageant. However, after repeated attempts without capturing a crown, she considered giving it one final try at the Miss Bartica Regatta pageant held earlier this month before stepping away for good.

She couldn’t be happier that she did because this time around, she was crowned queen. Born and raised in Batavia, Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni), the 21-year-old said she cried on stage when she realised that she won because it had always been her goal to be queen.

Pawelae, the fourth of nine children in a close-knit family, grew up in the riverine community and like many other young people from hinterland areas, she had to make sacrifices to be able to get an education. So at 18, she moved to Bartica, seeking reliable internet access to support her studies, something that was lacking in her village at that time.

She now resides on the West Coast Demerara, balancing work as an administrative assistant with a quarry company headquartered in Georgetown, alongside her academic pursuits, supported by a GOAL scholarship.

In an interview with The Waterfalls, Pawelae recalled how her passion for pageantry stemmed not only from the glitz and glam of dressing up and walking on stage, but in being able to use her platform to help others, especially young people like herself.

So apart from immersing herself in pageantry, singing, dancing, and modelling, she took note of the ills that were present in her village and thought about what she can do to address some of them.

Pawelae shared that she competed in multiple pageants and often faced the harsh realities that are present behind the scenes such as financial strain from sponsorship and travel costs, emotional fatigue, and the repeated disappointment of not winning. “After competing five times, most of them back-to-back and only placing as a runner-up, my passion began to fade. I faced numerous challenges, made many mistakes, and shed countless tears. I started to question myself, wondering, ‘Maybe I’m not meant for this,’” she shared.

Stepping away for two years, she said she watched from the sidelines. It wasn’t a retreat but it was a period she used to improve quietly. She studied other contestants, refined her craft, and reconnected with the essence of why she loved pageantry in the first place. In the meantime, she said she focused on other passions, rebuilt her confidence, and reconnected with her love for pageantry.

With hope and help from her team of supporters, Pawelae decided to try one final time. This time, she said she approached it differently. “I consulted with people who have been with me since I started pageantry and we were skeptical because of the all the negativity we experienced. But we made sure we got the best designers and the best trainers to get the results that we would want.”

She added: “I committed fully, no matter the sacrifice. I surrounded myself with an incredible team who believed in me, understood my journey, and knew how much this moment meant. Together, we worked tirelessly to ensure everything was in place so I could step on stage with confidence and focus.”

Her platform is protecting Bartica’s youth through drug awareness and positive alternatives. Inspired by her experiences growing up in indigenous communities, she said she witnessed the devastating impact of drug abuse on young lives.

“This has been my platform for most of my previous pageants and it was something that I saw at first in indigenous communities because that’s where I’m from. I saw how drug abuse can really affect someone’s mental health and impact their future. So that’s where that passion came from; I always wanted to make a change and give back to my community.”

So she is hoping to host workshops, collaborate with schools, and partner with government officials to raise awareness and create safe spaces for youth development.

Looking ahead, she has her sights set on even greater stages, including the Amerindian Heritage Pageant and the Caribbean Culture Queen competition. Her message to others is simple: never stop pursuing what you love. “Because I love pageantry is why I kept going, competing in different pageants even though I lost so many times,” she expressed.

“To finally capture the crown, it means everything. Knowing the struggles, the setbacks, and the growth it took to get here makes this victory even more special. I promise to fulfill my duties with purpose and passion, and to be remembered as a queen who made a difference in Bartica,” she said.

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• Miss Bartica Regatta, Novita Pawelae, Queen, Telesha Ramnarine

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