In the run-up to the Miss Universe 2005 contest to be held in Bangkok, Thailand (Date: May 31, 2005) Bahamas come up with its own beauties. The country has crowned 19-year-old Denia Nixon of Mr. T's Sporting Lounge, as Miss Bahamas Universe 2005. She beat eight other aspirants to the crown.

In a media interaction with www.thenassauguardian.com she said: "I experienced a lot of problems with my dress but I overcame it all. I felt excellent when everybody began cheering my name. I felt very excited and I am glad for this opportunity to represent The Bahamas. I will ensure that I am a great ambassador."

Psychologist Nadia Cash worn the first runner-up title in Miss Universe Bahamas 2005, earning her the title of Miss Earth Bahamas; She will attend the Miss Earth Pageant in late 2005. Otishka Ferguson won the Miss Ethnic Teen Bahamas crown after placing first in the teen competition. She will represent the Bahamas at the Miss Ethnic World Competition.

Second runner up in the Miss Bahamas Universe Pageant was Lashonne Outten, 3rd was Dimetria Stubbs, and 4th place went to Philincia Cleare.

Other prizes in Miss Bahamas Universe segment
Nadia Cash - Miss Photogenic
Janice Johnson - Best evening gown
Lashonne Outten - Miss Popularity
Starnecia Dean - Miss Simple Elegance
Dimetria Stubbs - Miss Congeniality Award, the Lady Elegant Award, and the Float Queen Award
Denia Nixon -- Best Costume.

At the same event, Dashanique Poitier, 16, was crowned the nation's first Miss Teen World Bahamas. "It was an awesome experience and I am glad it turned out this way," she said in an interview son after the pageant. Sponsored by the Fox Hill Steering Committee, she is the current title holder of Miss Fox Hill. Dashanique Poitier leaves on April 5 to participate in the Miss Teen World Pageant in Trinidad and Tobago.

In the Miss Teen World Pageant, Kisha Higgs, placed 2nd , Alexandra Deal placed 3rd, and Julianne Smith placed fourth. Otishka Ferguson won the awards for Best Costume, Miss Photogenic, Miss Physical Fitness and the Float Queen Award; Kisha Higgs won the Miss Popularity Award; Andreanique Johnson, received the Lady Elegant Award and the new queen, Dashanique Poitier, received the award for best evening gown.

Winning answer

Ms. Nixon's winning answer to the question, 'What is the new slogan of the Ministry of Tourism and what does it mean to you?' was, "The Ministry of Tourism has so many slogans. 'The Islands of The Bahamas, they just keep getting better.' 'Hip to Hop to the Islands of The Bahamas' and the most recent one is, 'The 700 hundred Islands of The Bahamas, just off the coast of the familiar.' And this means to me that Florida is the most familiar and it's just 40 miles off the coast of Bimini."

BY A CORRESPONDENT