Pageants Belize Limited Executive Director Carolyn Sandiford addressed the gathering and mentioned that she now passes on her responsibilities and duties to someone whom she knows will do a wonderful job – Pauline Young Longsworth. Pauline Longsworth will work along with National Coordinator for Pageants Belize Limited Anne Wade, while Margaret Johnson remains as the Pageant Image Consultant. "I am thankful of the position and we have no doubt that Andrea will wear the crown with pride and dignity, personifying all that is Belize and the qualities of Miss Belize, including beauty, charm, wit, character, intelligence, self confidence and national pride."

     Miss Belize 2003-2004 Leilah Pandy then had the opportunity to address the gathering. "My year was filled with excitement, stress, tear, and laughter. To sum it in one word, beautiful – with the good, bad, and ugly." She then went on to wish Andrea the absolute best, offering her all the support that she may need. "You will make us proud, I'm sure!" she exclaimed, "say ‘hello' to Scott the stage coordinator for me," she ended.

     Andrea Elrington accepted the crown from Miss Pandy and went on to say, "The Belizean public can expect a person who is vibrant, a person who is dedicated and someone who is smart and outgoing. Someone who looks forward to learning and who looks forward to participating and who looks forward to bringing the Belizean people along with me on my journey." In her speech, Miss Elrington informed the media and those present that her platform this year would be to work with the Red Cross, UNICEF and Habitat for Humanity in enabling those who are here in Belize, as well as in different places to be able to have a home to live. Even though she is studying abroad, she is still a proud member of her school's chapter of Habitat for Humanity. As Miss Belize, Miss Elrington is also the national spokesperson for the Alliance against AIDS. "I am very excited and looking forward to the pageant. I promise I will do my best," she ended.

     In an interview with The San Pedro Sun, Miss Leilah Pandy commented, "I am not a crying type but I really felt like crying today. I now understand what it feels like to give up your crown, but I decided not to look at it like I am giving it up, but as sharing my experience."

     Pageants Belize Limited issued a press release on Tuesday stating that a panel of pageantry savvy judges, in a private screening and selection process, selected a new Miss Belize 2005. 22-year-old Andrea Elrington was chosen to represent Belize at this year's Miss Universe pageant in Bangkok, Thailand. She is 5 feet, 11 inches tall (1.80m) and a final year Dean's List Honor student at Fort Valley State University in Atlanta, Georgia, where she is studying for her Bachelors of Arts in Mass Communication with an emphasis on Public Relations. She is a recent product promotions model and currently serves as the chief editor of her on campus newspaper. She plans to attend the University of Southern California to complete her Masters in Communications as it relates to the entertainment business. It is her professional goal to excel as a Public Relations Specialist in the entertainment business.

     Miss Elrington is the daughter of Hubert and Cora Lee Elrington. She comes from one of Belize's most distinguished families of attorneys and politicians. Her father is a prominent criminal defense attorney, a former Attorney General and also former Minister of Housing and Works. Her mother is a veteran cosmetologist and Beauty Culture Specialist.

     Andrea loves to read, travel, listening to Latin and Jazz music, keeping up with fashion magazines and current affairs. Her weakness is chocolate, especially Godiva. She speaks, English, Conversational Spanish and her native dialect Creole.

     The San Pedro Sun wishes Miss Elrington the best of luck at the Miss Universe Pageant.