Gabriella Chapman crowned Miss Bartica Regatta 2017

teachers of Bartica Secondary and won ‘Best Speaker’.

The new queen has many inspirations and American actress Keke Palmer is one woman who inspires her. She said, “I like Keke because she was so versatile in everything she did and she was so young and bold and I saw myself in her and even though I hadn’t those opportunities I know I had the potential.”

Though this next person doesn’t come as an inspiration to Gabby, she surely admires him and if there was that one person on the planet she could possibly meet, it would have to be actor/screenwriter/producer Tyler Perry. “The first one of his movies I watched was Madea Goes to Jail. Growing up I was always a part of skits at school and church. I feel if I meet Tyler Perry, he’d surely put me in one of his movies,” said an enthused Gabby.

Still on the topic of being inspired the new queen has a few words of inspiration she would like to share with youths. “If you want to do something, you work towards it. Forget about all the negativity people throw at you. Be self-driven and do what you really want to do. I always say I prefer to say ‘Oh well’ instead of ‘what if’. It’s better if you try and fail than fail to try. So be self-driven and self-empowered whether you have the support or not.”

Currently Gabby is a first year communications student at the University of Guyana.

Her hobbies include: singing (karaoke, Hip-hop, Oldies), watching NCIS, CSI and Law and Order, reading Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew and Baby Sitters (back in school); now she enjoys reading Carl Webber novels, Big Girls Don’t Cry is a favourite.

“In ten years’ time I should have already graduated with a law degree, have my own house, be married and have a baby on the way,” laughed Gabby.

Among the prizes she won as Miss Bartica Regatta are: a cash prize of $300,000, a trip for two to a resort and a beauty hamper.