Belize will be going to the Miss Universe 2017 pageant to be held next year in the Philippines. Rebecca Rath, age 22, from Dangriga was crowned as the winner of the Miss Belize pageant held at the Bliss Center in Belize City on Saturday, September 10, 2016. The talented and beautiful Miss Rath topped nine other contestants to earn the long-inactive crown.
Speaking to the press following her coronation, Rath said, “I love Belize with all of my heart, and I am proud to have represented Belize in both sports and tourism. I look forward to representing the country at the upcoming Miss Universe pageant next year.”
Rath has been an active athlete since her youth, playing volleyball since the age of 13. Rath was a member of the national junior volleyball team and also competed in beach volleyball games for Belize both at home and abroad. At age 18, Rath began working for both the Belize Tourism Industry Association and the Belize Hotel Association, earning her valuable experience both locally and abroad while representing her country.
After the pageant, Rath stated, “I’ve always done my best to represent Belize, but getting dolled up for the Miss Universe pageant was in a different league. I did my best to make sure that everything turned out perfectly, and I think it all turned out quite well the way it did. Many people think that a pageant is just about a woman’s outer beauty, but it’s actually about choosing the right woman to represent your country. I am confident that I can do a great job representing Belize.”
Rath is a previous winner of the People’s Choice, Beach Body, and Top Model awards. Rath will represent Belize at the Miss Universe finals in the Philippines in January 2017.
The staff and management of Chabil Mar wish Rebecca Rath all the best of luck in the pageant.
