Miss Marianas’ father cries foul

2006 Miss Marianas-Universe Shequita Bennett is back on island from China and Japan, bringing with her more knowledge and international experience. Her family, however, seems unhappy about her reign as she is being asked to terminate her role right now.

Ambrose Bennett, Shequita’s father, wrote pageant organizer Stellar Marianas early this month, asking the group to “extend or terminate” Shequita’s reign as 2006 Miss Marianas-Universe. Bennett said his daughter’s reign should have ended in October but she is still participating in activities “with virtually no additional support or compensation.”

Bennett said, “Our family has made many sacrifices with our time and money to support our daughter. We have spent well over $10,000 since she joined the contest.” He said the family also spent when Shequita was in China and Japan.

He said his daughter’s reign should have been completed but the organizer has asked Shequita to stay on until February next year. Bennett said that before his daughter continues her service, Stellar Marianas should provide the earnings and awards due her.
“If she is to continue as Miss Marianas-Universe until February, she will need the transportation and support system to remain intact, car, gas, and funds for incidentals,” he said, adding that he is no longer in a financial position to support Shequita in her projects.

Bennett said his daughter was “very disappointed” to learn that her car was returned to the sponsor while she was in Japan and China. He said the organizer should provide Shequita another car if she should continue her reign until next year.

Bennett commended the organizer’s support for Shequita but he said he felt bad when his daughter boarded the plane for the two international beauty pageants “with virtually no money for incidentals or personal use.” He said Shequita was sent off empty-handed that his family had to wire her some money during the pageant.

Bennett cited that the top five finalists at the recent Miss Universe pageant had advertisements in the Miss Universe program and other media to promote the candidates and the countries they represented. “But MVA didn’t do anything to take advantage of the exposure that Shequita and the pageant offered,” he said.

Stellar Marianas was asked for comments on the issue since last week, but president Laila Y. Boyer said the group was preparing a statement yesterday to be provided to the media. [I]Saipan Tribune[/I] repeatedly called the group last night, but as of press time, no statement was given to the paper.