Miss Guyana

Suzette Marissa Shim

Suzette grew up in a small village on the outskirts of Georgetown, a beautiful Victorian city, which boasts of the tallest wooden building in the world, the St George’s Cathedral. Suzette is currently a third year student, pursuing a degree in Business Management at the University of Guyana whilst also working as a Legal Clerk with the Supreme Court Registry. Her ambition is to complete her degree and pursue a career in the world of fashion design. In her leisure time Suzette enjoys reading, hiking, volleyball, cricket, classical dance and making jokes. Her motto is "it’s possible to achieve anything through hard work and the grace of God".


Where did you grow up? Tell us a little about your home town/city, and family.
I grew up in a small village on the outskirts of Georgetown, but I travelled daily to the city to attend school. As a child I enjoyed a very simple life where all the basics were provided for me. I live with my mum, dad and two older sisters and we are a very close-knit family. I am particularly fond of the memories of our family gatherings in our living room telling stories and jokes, taking long walks with my father on the East Coast See Walls and climbing trees with my siblings. Georgetown is a beautiful Victorian city with many wooden buildings, including the world’s tallest wooden building - the St George’s Cathedral. Our people reflect a rich blend of our six races, and are known as some of the most hospitable people in the world!

What Jobs have you done? What was the most interesting/bizarre?
I have only held two jobs so far. After leaving school I was employed by a stationery company as a sales clerk. I am still in my second job as a Legal Clerk with the Supreme Court Registry in Georgetown. Both jobs were quite interesting and enjoyable - I had the opportunity to meet and interact with many people daily, which is something I love doing.

What are your career ambitions, how do you plan to realise them?
I love the fashion industry. As a Business Management student, I would love to have my own business in this field someday. In Guyana there are many talented designers who are not well known outside of Guyana. I would like to help promote some of the wonderful talent we have here and being Miss Guyana I feel I have an opportunity to do this.

What is the proudest moment of your life? (Not including winning your National Title)
My mum has always been a very special part of my life - she has been the person who has encouraged me to pursue all of my goals and I have always tried to make her proud of me. I can never forget the expression on her face when I told her my High School exam results. I felt proud because I had lived up to her expectations.

What was the funniest/most embarrassing moment of your life?
My most embarrassing moment happened when I was in High School. It was raining heavily one day and I turned to say hello to a guy I had a crush on. I ended up tripping on my shoelaces and falling flat on my face in the mud! I can still remember that moment like it was yesterday.

What was the funniest/most embarrassing moment of your life?
My life has changed tremendously. I was accustomed to living a very quiet life, spending most of time with my family and friends. Now I am so busy visiting places, meeting people and training. It is incredible.

Tell us about an interesting event you have attended, or a person that you have met.
Mashramani is a national event celebrated on our Republic day in February each year. Although I have experienced it every year, I never grow tired of it. It is a celebration of my culture with dance, music, art, poetry and it is an opportunity to learn of Guyana’s biodiversity. It also brings together the six races in my country - it ‘s wonderful.

What would you like to do, if you became Miss World 2004?
I would like the opportunity to work with the Miss World Organisation in charities worldwide. I believe that there is no greater service than serving humanity. I would also want to work in my country to make a difference in the lives of abused women and sick and needy children.

If you had a personal motto what would it be?
I do have a personal motto - my mother has always taught me "it is possible to achieve anything through hard work and the grace of God".

Give details of any charitable work undertaken?
In Guyana I have worked with the Help and Shelter, an organisation that provides counselling and other assistance to abused women, men and children.

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