The Tribune

After wowing the judges and audience alike, Miss Long Island Geena Thompson walked away with the coveted Miss World Bahamas title following an exciting and glamorous pageant finale on Sunday night.

The new queen defeated eight other young ladies competing for the chance to represent the country in the upcoming Miss World Beauty Pageant scheduled to be held on Saturday, November 18, at the Crown of Beauty Theatre in Sanya, China.

The finale was held at the Baha Mar Convention Centre. It was proceeded by preliminary rounds of swimsuit, national costume, evening gown and talent competitions.

In the preliminary rounds, Geena consistently placed in the top three.

She made the top three in the swimsuit and evening gown segments, as well as in the national costume contest where she depicted 'The Royal Poinciana'.

In a press conference shortly after receiving the crown, the new queen encouraged other young Bahamians to follow their dreams.

"I want to say thank you Bahamas. I want to encourage you all to go after your dreams wholeheartedly and never give up," she said.

The finale was "an incredible night", according to pageant president Michelle Malcolm.

"Once again we tried to destroy the box, not just think outside of it, and we are tremendously blessed," she said.

The new Miss World Bahamas is 24 years old and stands 5'9" tall. She loves fried calamari and the colour khaki. In her spare time she enjoys CrossFit training and playing volleyball.

Geena said she had a lot of time during the pageant to be introspective and really determine who she was and what she wanted to achieve.

Having won the 2017 crown, she receives a prize package that includes a year-long salary as brand ambassador for the TIG Foundation, a designer wardrobe, a year's membership at Club One Fitness Centre, hair and makeup services, dental services, professional representation by the Miss Bahamas Organisation, extensive travel representing sponsors and charitable partners, and access to various top-tier events.

In addition to a hectic schedule of appearances here in the Bahamas, Geena will now immediately begin her preparations for the Miss World competition in China.