COME January 30, 2010, Beaches Sandy Bay will host for the first time, the Miss Beaches Sandy Bay Awareness Pageant, themed The Evolution of Women — Preparing for the Future.

The event, which takes a different spin will be similar to the standards of the Miss Jamaica or Miss Universe Pageant. That is, the winner will choose a charity project that, in her opinion,will create much impact within the community. The Sandals Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International will be the main sponsor of the chosen project and will donate $50,000 which will go towards the project.

According to director of programmes for the Sandals Foundation, Heidi Clarke, “This is an opportunity for the young ladies to become more involved and appreciate even more the importance of giving back. The Sandals Foundation continues to play their part in the communities by funding many projects. However, the implementations of the projects are successful with the help of our employees at the various resorts.”

The Miss Beaches Sandy Pageant will aim to promote personal as well as professional development among the 10 contestants. These include; the art of public speaking, grooming and etiquette as well as visiting various tourist sites and attraction. The contestants will also make a courtesy call at various media outlets and at the Tourism Centre in Montego Bay.

Hotel manager for Beaches Sandy Bay, Noel Issacs, expressed that “the competition has already gained much interest and support from Western Jamaica simply because of what it promises to achieve. That is, a first-class event which will promote and expose the contestants to other areas within the tourism industry as well as to promote community development through the involvement of the contestants.”

The official launch of the event took place yesterday at a luncheon hosted at Beaches Sandy Bay. Sponsors for the pageant include Cool Cash, Samuels Hardware, Cool Cash, Sandals Foundation, Samuels’ Hardware, JUTA Negril, Royal Shop, Sunset Jamaica Grande, Couples San Souci Resort, and Island Multimedia, Caribbean Producers, Cosmos Restaurant, Guardsman Limited, Sunnyside Beauty Supplies, Riverside Pharmacy, Petcom Whitehouse, Show Jam Productions, Jamaican Style, Margaritaville Negril and One Love Reggae Series.