Queen of The Bay 1987 Desiree Smith

Twenty seven years ago this gorgeous woman won the title of Queen of The Bay! She’s my momma! She was absolutely stunning in this picture and she is still a gem today! Looking at this picture got me thinking though. There are times when you don’t feel your best or look your best. This was a happy moment for my mom. She felt her best and looked her best; she probably felt like she was on top of the world. But life was not always like that for her and surely is not always like that for any of us.

She didn’t let those “not her best” moments affect her though. She would say to me not to not to let my outer appearance reveal what’s going on inside. For me, that translated to “Be Selfless.” Sometimes (especially females, let’s be real) can get so caught up in petty things. She said it to me many times when I had a simple flu and was mad at the world. Then, I was reminded by someone in a situation 10 times worse that my flu was not a big deal. You never know what others are going through; we always hear it and it’s always true. So as my friend Lexy would say, “suck it up buttercup” (and I say that nicely), because there’s a whole world of people for you to love on.

Miss World Belize 2012 Chantae Guy

Queen of the Bay 1987 Runner Up Patricia Zelaya

Queen of The Bay 2014 Jasmine Rhamdas

Cool Fact: Apparently, there’s something about Bermuda Street in Belmopan, Belize. Four beautiful ladies, including my mom, have won Queen Titles. Miss World Belize 2012 was from Bermuda Street, so was the Runner Up for Queen of the Bay 1987, and today Jasmine Rhamdas, also of Bermuda Street was crowned our new Queen of the Bay! All these Queens have resided or currently reside on Bermuda Street. Will the legacy continue? Any takers? Happy TENTH Belize!