On coronation night, it wasn’t just about the crown, it was a moment of deep reflection on the journey that had brought me to the stage. I had been told to live in the moment and have fun, and looking back, that was the best advice I could’ve followed. As someone who feels at home on stage, I was completely in my zone, energized, focused, and fully present. The roaring audience, the watchful eyes of the judges, the thrill of the competition; it all fed the adrenaline that coursed through me like fire. Each segment of the night still replays in my mind months later, not just because of the performance, but because of the mark that the Miss Guyana Teen Scholar Pageant left on me. It wasn’t just a show. It was a transformation.
Initially, my love for pageantry was rooted in watching my aunt participate in competitions. She lit that spark in me, but it was when she captured the title of Miss Emancipation 2023 that my quiet admiration turned into determination. I knew then that I wanted to experience the stage for myself, and soon. Not only did my aunt introduce me to the world of pageantry, but she also connected me to The Imperial House, and the exceptional directors of the pageant that would soon change my life.
It all began with hesitant, doubtful thoughts, “Should I really apply?” Around me, the same phrases echoed, “Pageants is money,” or “Yuh heart gah strong to join one.” Imagine the confusion I felt! However, after reading through the MGTSP manual, that uncertainty was quickly replaced with excitement and inspiration. I was captivated, and when my family reassured me of their support, I didn’t hesitate. I clicked the link and submitted my application, unaware that in doing so, I had already taken my first step onto the stage. Not just as a contestant, but as a developing person.
As someone who takes planning seriously, the preparation for coronation night had already begun in my mind, even before I knew if I was shortlisted. I remember constantly checking my emails, and one night, there it was: an invitation from The Imperial House to attend an interview for placement in the 2024 Miss Guyana Teen Scholar Pageant. As we’d say here in Guyana, duh night my teeth catch cold.
Soon enough, I found myself sitting before three directors, answering questions with a mix of nerves and hope. Then came orientation, where I reached into a bag and pulled outmy delegate number that was the moment it all started to feel real. Training sessions followed, and with each one, the Imperial House made sure we felt safe, seen, and supported. With every workshop and preliminary event, I felt myself growing. Not just in how I carried myself onstage with poise and elegance, but in how I began to think. The courses offered throughout the program laid a foundation, one that touched on public speaking, personal development, and many more. Each session was like a stepping stone toward the young professional who I’m still becoming.
However, my journey to coronation night was far from a walk in the park. There were late nights filled with research and self-doubt. I rewrote my introduction at least a dozen times. I practiced my pageant walk until my feet ached. My shoes came loose mid-dance rehearsal. I ran up and down trying to find everything I needed: outfits, sponsors, accessories and still, I pushed forward. Since pageantry, above all else, teaches perseverance, and even in the moments I struggled, I never walked alone. The support from my family and mentors was there, holding me up, reminding me why I started.
On coronation night everything felt surreal. My heart wanted to jump out of my chest, but in a good way. The moment I stepped backstage, being surrounded by the lights, other anxious delegates, and the anticipation in the air, made it felt like I was walking into a dream I had imagined a hundred times before. Only this time, it was real. The energy was electric, the other delegates looked stunning and the air backstage buzzed with last-minute touch-ups, quiet pep talks, and that unspoken bond of shared nerves.
I soaked it all in, the bright colour changing spotlights, the roar of the audience as we did our introductions, and the proud faces in the crowd. I wasn’t just performing, I was present. Every step I took across the stage felt purposeful, like it was sewn in with all the moments that led me here. Every late night, every sore foot, every moment of doubt. Each segment of the show felt like a chapter in my story, and in each one I got to express a different part of Makada. There was anxiety, yes, but there was also freedom. The adrenaline that coursed through me, I danced with it. The crowd’s energy was like a wave I let carry me throughout the night. I felt untouchable, not because I was better than anyone else, but because I was fully, unapologetically me. Those moments made me realize what true confidence feels like.
I’ve shared all of this to say, your pageant experience is exactly what you make of it. My first pageant taught me more than I ever expected. Yes, difficulties will arise, and yes,you will stumble. One of the most important lessons I learned is that recovery matters, not just on stage, but throughout your entire journey. In pageantry, we’re taught that a graceful recovery can save a performance, but it also saves your experience. If you fall, whether it’s from criticism, self-doubt, or struggling to learn routines, and choose not to rise, you risk not only limiting yourself, but also passing that fear onto others who may be watching.
I don’t believe pageants demand perfection or promote unrealistic standards. Quite the opposite, I’ve learned that being authentically yourself can take you further than anything else. My pageant had its eligibility criteria, of course, but beyond that, it was personality, joy, and confidence that carried me to second place out of sixteen on coronation night. And I’m not the only proof of that. I think of our current Miss Guyana Culture Queen and Miss Caribbean Culture Queen, Ms. Shadiamond Assanah who, in both her winning performances, owned the stage by simply being herself. Two consecutive crowns didn’t come from imitation. They came from authenticity.
Completing the Miss Guyana Teen Scholar Pageant not only gave me the lens of a “pageant girl”, it opened doors. As the 1st Runner-Up, I’ve made appearances, connected with new mentors, and met inspiring individuals I wouldn’t have otherwise. I didn’t leave the stage with the crown, but I left with something just as valuable: lifelong memories, sisterhood, and the drive to return even stronger. I know now that a crown awaits me inthe future. Are you ready to find out when? Because I am, and this journey is far from over.
Author Bio
Makada Critchlow is a vibrant and creative teen from Guyana with a passion for self-expression, empowerment, and storytelling. She placed 1st Runner-Up in the 2024 Miss Guyana Teen Scholar Pageant and continues to use her voice to reflect on youth experiences, identity, and personal growth. Makada believes in leading with authenticity and perseverance, values rooted in her personal motto: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”