CLICK HERE for photos and updates on the 2008 festival.

RESULTS!!!
Best National Costume - Miss Honduras - Alejandra Mendoza
Second Runner up - Miss Honduras - Alejandra Mendoza
First Rinner up - Miss Costa Rica - Maria Elena Quesada
Winner - The new Miss Costa Maya - Miss Guatemala - Jennifer Chiong - Click here for more pictures...

Thursday, August 7th
Reina de la Costa Maya International Pageant
Gates opens at 7:30pm
Delegates: Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, Costa Rica, and Belize
Entertainment by: Nelita Castillo, San Pedro Dance Company
Mexico: Alonzo Heredia

After Party: Islander's Band

Melonie Gillett to perform at Costa Maya

At the La Reina de la Costa Maya Internacional pageant 2008 Melonie Gillett of Burrell Boom will perform her new release "Rush".

Melonie has has taken her diverse heritage and compiled it with modern day R&B, Reggae, Dancehall and Alternative music to create her album entitled Melonie Gillett "Finding me".

"I remember in school, only my family and really close friends knew that I could sing, I was always shy about it. I didn't really come out as singer until my early teens when I realized that if I wanted to be a singer, people had to hear me sing. It was then, with all the positive reactions, I knew I had to do something with my voice. I knew I had to sing!"

Though new to the 'Ins and Outs' of recording an album, Melonie held nothing back. In her song "Can't resist me", she had no qualms about trying something new, when she combined R&B with a Punta insert and made it a club banger with a new and exciting twist! Melonie has tried to stay true to herself, and true to her music by facing issues real to not only her, but to people all over the world. It might only be a first step, but getting through this first step has been years of dedication and perseverance. "It took me a while to get where I am now, but this is where I have always wanted to be. The possibilities are endless! I hope that I can bring energy, soul and passion to music and in so doing, bring energy, soul and passion to you!" Melonie Gillett "Finding me" captures it all.

Since winning the title, Miss Costa Maya 2007 has been an exemplary ambassador sharing her time and message especially with children of all ages. Miss Jeffrey is honoured to be a role model and looks forward to working with children. One of her first activities was with the San Pedro Sun. They held their first ever community Costa Maya contest in 2007 where the community was asked to take a good look at the six gorgeous delegates and determine who they thought would walk away with the crown. Callers who had voted for Miss Belize were then raffled and Rosita Aldana was chosen as the winner. It was a memorable occasion.

Later that year, Miss Costa Maya worked with the Lions Club in San Pedro. The Lions Quest program is a school-based, comprehensive, positive youth development and prevention program that unites the home, school and community, to cultivate capable and healthy young people of strong character. The Lions Quest helps students gain positive attitudes and important life skills through easy-to-use classroom materials, solid teacher in-service experiences, and important community links. Miss Costa Maya visited four Standard Four classrooms which formed a part of the project. She urged the students to enjoy their books and to pass on the message to their fellow classmates. Then in early November 2007, Miss Costa Maya assisted in bringing relief to the Mexican state of Tabasco where 80% of the former was left under water. She accompanied some of the festival committee members to aid those in need as approximately 1,000,000 residents were affected and 20,000 people were forced to seek emergency shelter. The beauty ambassador later paid a courtesy call to the Governor of the state of Tabasco and then visited the Children's hospital in the city of Villaheromsa.

Miss Jeffrey has also made many other appearances and interviews here in Belize and in Quintana Roo, Mexico. She has taken part in a radio-ton and has been special guest during the September Celebrations in San Pedro. A highlight for her was being asked to be in the boat parade. San Pedro is known for its beautiful beaches and blue-green water and Miss Costa Maya enjoyed all it had to offer.

As the end of her reign draws near, we are certain that San Pedro will always be a second home to her.

Miss Guatemala
Miss Guatemala Universe 2008 will be representing her country at the International Costa Maya Festival. Miss Jennifer Chiong recently returned from the Miss Universe pageant in Vietnam and is bringing all her experience to the Reina de la Costa Maya pageant. Miss Guatemala is 25 years old and stands 1.69 meters tall. Currently she is a business woman who enjoys modeling and traveling and she aspires to be the owner and manager of an international modeling agency in Guatemala.

Miss Nicaragua
Nicaragua's beauty ambassador for the Costa Maya Festival 2008 is 18 year-old Karina Gordon. She is a 1.73m tall model who is both beauty and brains as she pursues her degree in Public Contracting and Finances Management. Miss Nicaragua intends to graduate with honors especially in her finances courses. For her, an education is very important for a young woman to obtain because it opens the door for many wonderful opportunities. Miss Nicaragua enjoyes reading, modeling, and spending time with family and friends.

Miss El Salvador

El Salvador will be represented at the pageant by Daniella Maria Augspurg Jimenez, a 1.67 meters tall model who enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Along with studying, modeling and family time, this Central American beauty takes pride in representing her country at pageants as she believes they help young women with self-esteem and confidence.

Miss Panama

Miss Emelia "Anais" Solis of beautiful Panama will be their delegate at this year's pageant. This is a momentuous occasion as it is the first year that Panama will be represented in the pageant and thus will be participating in the Festival. Miss Panama is 22 years old and stands 1.74 meters tall. She is a model and a judicial administrator back home. Her family is the source of her strenght and she is honored to be born to such loving and encouraging parents.

Miss Mexico

Natalia Soledad Ruiz Alvarez is the delegate representing the country of Mexico this year at Miss Costa Maya. The 20 year-old beauty ambassador is 1.86m tall and is a wonderful singer and actress. Her goodwill platform is to work with children by encouraging their individual creativity.

Miss Honduras

Miss Alejandra Mendoza is set to represent the beautiful country of Honduras this year at the La Reina de la Costa Maya Internacional pageant. She is 18 years old and stands 1.75 meters tall. Currently she is studying medicine in her home country and hopes to eventually give back to her people, particularly those who are ill and in need. She enjoys modeling, reading, and cooking.

Costa Rica will be represented this year by Maria Elena Quesada Cordoba, a 26 year old model who stands 1.70 meters tall and enjoys reading, photography, and exercising. One of her favorite pastimes is to spend time with her nephew at home.

25 year old Jessie looks forward to representing Belize in the prestigious La Reina de la Costa Maya Pageant on August 7th, 2008.