Having spent the last seventeen years working for the Ministry of Tourism Nassau’s office, she was transferred to Exuma in 2001, and is currently the Acting General Manager of the Exuma Tourist Office.

She obtained her early education at Long Bay Cays All-Age, and South Andros Secondary High School. She is also a graduate of the Bahamas Hotel Training College with an Associate Degree in Tourism Management. She holds certifications as a Certified Human Resource Management, Certified Hospitality Department Trainer, and Certified Professional Manager from the Institute of Professional Management, Harrisonburg Virginia.

Having spent her earlier years participating and working with pageants, Mrs. Hanna is a former Miss Young People Association (South Andros 1976), first runner-up in the 1977 Miss Andros Beauty Pageant, and Third runner-up and the most talented award, in the Miss Discovery Day Beauty Pageant 1977.

Her hobbies include writing short stories and plays, country music, cooking, and the outdoors.

Mrs. Hanna is a member of Toastmasters Club 8123, Vice-Chairman of the National Family Island Regatta Local Committee, and Consultant to the Exuma Tourism Advisory Board.

She is married, and is the mother of three sons, Kennaz, Kendrick, and Lesley. She attends St. John’s Union Baptist Church, George Town.

Miss Tanya McCartney is an attorney turned banker. Tanya McCartney currently serves as Managing Director of RBC FINCO, being the youngest person to serve in this capacity. She joined RBC Royal Bank of Canada in June of 2006 as Regional Manager for Compliance for The Bahamas and Caribbean with responsibility for eight countries in the Caribbean (Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Barbados and 4 Eastern Caribbean countries). She entered the financial services sector in 1999 as legal counsel and compliance officer for a private bank and has worked at a number of international financial institutions. Prior to this she served as Assistant Counsel in the Office of the Attorney-General, obtaining experience in civil litigation as well as in criminal prosecution.

She is a graduate of St. John’s College and the College of The Bahamas where she obtained an Associate of Arts degree in History. She was inducted into COBs Alumni Hall of Fame in 2004.  Miss McCartney read law at the University of Reading, Reading, England, where she obtained a Bachelor of Laws degree with Honours. She was admitted to The Bahamas Bar and the Bar of England and Wales in 1995, having passed the UK Bar finals examination with Honours. A member of the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, she completed post-graduate studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science, where she obtained a Master of Laws degree with Merit in 1996, specializing in Commercial and Corporate law. Miss McCartney has also studied at the International Law Institute/Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., obtaining a certificate in World Trade Organization accession and compliance measures.


A former part-time lecturer at the College of The Bahamas and the Institute of Business and Commerce, she is a past President of The Bahamas Association of Compliance Officers. Tanya served the Senate of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas from June 2001 to November 2005. She ran for the South Beach constituency in 2002 with the slogan “I Fa Tanya”. She currently serves as President of The Bahamas Institute of Financial Services (BIFS), is a member of the Board of the Public Hospitals Authority, the Council of the College of the Bahamas, Zonta Club of Nassau, a Vestry Member and Sunday School teacher at St. Barnabas Anglican Church. In her spare time she hosts Cable 12s “Roundtable” show and enjoys reading, traveling and writing in her spare time.

Brianna Pyfrom nee Clarke is no stranger to the pageant world.  She represented The Bahamas at Miss World 2004 in Sanya , China , placing in the top 20 of the talent competition.  In addition, she has held other titles including Miss Teen Bahamas 1996 and first runner-up in Miss Bahamas Universe 1998.  She holds a BA in Economics, magna cum laude from Elmira College and presently works in the Corporate Office at Kerzner International.  In her spare time she enjoys participating in various community outreach endeavors.  This includes serving as the founder and judge of an Elmira College scholarship competition that is co-sponsored by Sunshine Insurance and has given 16 Bahamian high school students over $600,000 in scholarship money to date.

Born and raised in England, I started dancing at the age of four and turned professional at the age of 17. I danced mostly in Europe and the Middle East until I was 24 years old when I came to the Bahamas and opened my own dance school, Bahamas Dance Academy, in 1970. Over the next 25 years I taught hundreds of students and choreographed as mane dances, which the students performed for their annual show at The Dundas.
Also during this time I was also involved in the service industry, firstly with Bahamas Aireways, then Bahamasair and various airlines, training flight attendants and eventually becomming Customer Relations Manager.
In 1985, I moved into bankking for the next 15 years as Customer Srvice Manager.
In the millennium, I moved once more and became the Event Co-ordinator for a major Italian restaurant and this year joined Compass Point Beach Resort in the same capacity.
I became a Bahamian shortly after Independence. I have two daughters, Kim &Liss Donaldson, and four grandchildren and am now married to Walter George Robert Wheeler.

Born on November 26th, 1967, George Town, Exuma Bahamas.  Early education began at Stuart Manor Primary, Exuma and continued at various schools throughout The Bahamas including Cockburn Town Primary School, San Salvador, Rolleville Primary School, Exuma, Oakes Field, Primary School, Nassau, Yellow Elder Primary School, Nassau, J.H. Major Junior High, South Andros, Miami Aerospace Academy, Miami Florida, Coral Gables Senior High, Miami, Florida (Graduated 1984) and NGM Major High, Long Island (GCE courses – Graduated 1985).
Majored in Computer Data Processing at the College of The Bahamas. (1985 – 1987)
Started career in the aviation field, working at Nassau Flight Services, was a part of the start up team of Carnival Airlines, Regal Airlines and Trinity Air Bahamas.
Entered the media business as a Graphic Artist for The Standard newspaper in 1993 and joined Jones Communications as a Graphic Artist in 1997 and moved up the ranks to Production Manager.  Also directly responsible for the production of major publications by Jones Communications including The One Hundred Most Outstanding Bahamians, Independence 1973 – 2003, The Bahamian Parliament and Outstanding Bahamians Vol. 2.
Received a FM license for the island of Exuma in September 2005 and began service to the island of Exuma on April 21st, 2006 offering 24 hour a day service from studio facilities in Mt. Thompson.  Studio is currently located in Bowe’s Plaza, Ocean Addition West, Exuma.
Also the publisher of The Exuma Breeze a monthly newspaper dedicated entirely to the island of Exuma which began publishing in July of 2006.
A aviation enthusiast with over 120 hours of flying instruction, hopes to complete private pilot’s license as soon as time becomes available.
Additional hobbies include golf, fishing and traveling.

Matthew Marco is the General Manager of February Point Resort Estates, an 80-acre $350 million dollar luxury residential resort community on the exotic island of Great Exuma in The Bahamas. Matthew is involved with various organizations throughout The Bahamas and is on the Board of Directors for The Bahamas Hotel Association and The Bahamas Out Island Promotion Board. In addition, he is Vice-Chairman of the Tourism Advisory Board of Exuma. In his spare time, Mr. Marco enjoys giving back to the island by hosting fundraising events benefiting education and various social causes. When he wants to get away from it all he enjoys boating and fishing around the dozens of deserted cays, coves, and virgin beaches surrounding Great Exuma

Cyprianna McWeeney was born in Nassau, Bahamas, daughter of the late Frederick Munnings, Sr. OBE and Mrs. Winifred Munnings.   Mrs. McWeeney is partner and co- owner of Bartlett-McWeeney Communications, Ltd., parent company of GEMS 105.9 FM Radio in Nassau.

Mrs. McWeeney was educated at the Government High School and the Nassau Technical College.  Shortly after graduation she took up employment at the Ministry of Tourism.  However, having a great desire for travel, she took up employment with Bahamas World Airlines, which provided charter transportation between the Caribbean and Europe.  After two years of worldwide travel, she returned to the Ministry of Tourism and would remain there for the next twelve years. 

Mrs. McWeeney excelled at her job at Tourism.  It truly became her passion.  She held positions such as Manager of On-shore/Off-shore Promotions and Manager of Visitor Relations.

She became Miss Bahamas in 1973 and was privileged participate in the official Bahamas Independence celebrations.

Mrs. McWeeney felt it a privilege and blessing in 1982 to quit work and stay at home with her only daughter, Gillian, who was later joined by her sister, Melissa and brother Sean Jr.   She spent much of her time volunteering on PTAs, charitable organizations such as: Bahamas Red Cross; Bahamas School for the Mentally Retarded; Miss Bahamas Beauty Pageant Committee; Bahamas School for the Deaf; The Dundas Centre For The Performing Arts; James Catalyn & Friends; WOMAN Expo; Sir Lynden Pindling  Legacy Ball and much more.

In 2002, she became a Senator under the Progressive Liberal Party. She retired in 2005 in order to pursue her dream of owning a business.  In 2005, Mrs. McWeeney and business partner, Deborah Bartlett, were awarded a contract to build a television station for the government of the Turks and Caicos Islands now called the Turks and Caicos New Media Network.

Mrs. McWeeney is married to Sean McWeeney, former Attorney General of the Bahamas.  They have three children and two granddaughters. She enjoys reading, gardening, swimming and watching old black and white classic movies

Kristine is a professional photographer who has lived in Nassau for 20 years.
Originally from Chicago, Kristine studied Marketing, Photography, Journalism and French earning her Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth Texas in 1989.  It was in Texas that she met her future husband and after a year in Chicago working for the Chicago Marathon as a marketing consultant she moved to the Bahamas.  From day one she fell in love with the Bahamas and quickly found herself employed as a scuba diving instructor where she was able to nurture her passion of nature and photography by taking those talents to the ocean.

She taught Scuba Diving for 2 years in Nassau and then opened the doors of a successful Real Estate Company, which she ran for nearly 14 years.  Now she spends her time raising her two children, volunteering at events for the Lyford Cay International School, serves on the Board of Governors of the Lyford Cay Club and teaches yoga and photography. She also enjoys mentoring young people and is committed to the personal growth movement assisting her clients in opening into their true potential and realizing their inner greatness.

Mark Humes is a full time lecturer in the School of English Studies at The College of the Bahamas and Head Coach of the college’s men’s volleyball team.  He holds a Master Degree in African American Literature and Theory from The University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras. As a young, budding photographer, Mr. Humes left the Bahamas for New York, photographing models for several leading agencies in New York, including Elite and Wilhelmina. After his stint in New York, he returned to the Bahamas and later joined Island FM’s Christina “Chrissy Love” Thompson and Michelle Malcolm at a new Bahamian fashion and lifestyle magazine, Elan Magazine, serving as the magazine’s Creative Director and principle photographer. In 1987, he changed career paths and worked as a Customs Officer for 10 years, resigning to officially begin his career in the field of education.

In 1996, Mr. Humes graduated from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia with degrees in English and French and began substituting in the Atlanta and Dekalb County Public School Systems. He later accepted a post teaching English at the Marist School in Dunwoody, Georgia.  As the school’s Head Track and Field Coach, he led the men’s team to conference and state wins in 1998, 1999, and 2001. In the fall of 2001, Mr. Humes decided to further his studies and enrolled at the University of Puerto Rico.  Before joining The College of the Bahamas in the fall of 2006, Mr. Humes lectured at the University of Puerto Rico and was an investigative reporter with The Tribune Newspaper, having penned such stories as “Wilchcombe Defends Press: Minister Speaks Out Against Criticism of Media,” and “Bahamian Politics, Crime, and Punishment Pts. I and II,” as well as Tribune Special Reports, “Education in Crisis,” “An Obligation to Education,” and “How Social Class Affects the Quality of Our Children’s Education.” 

Zelena Maynard was born to the late Reverend Joseph and Janet Neymour in the settlement of Cargill Creek Andros in 1982.  She received her high school education at the Central Andros High School, and later graduated from H.O.Nash Senior High School. She attended the College of the Bahamas where she pursued further studies in Computer Information Systems.

Mrs. Maynard is also a qualified Esthetician having received certification from the George Charity School of Facial and Massage Therapy.  She has been bless with some amazing talents, among them is an ability to create master pieces with her hands.  She is highly skilled in natural seashell art techniques and various applications of straw craft and designs.

As a teenager Mrs. Maynard received musical training and learned to play the saxophone.
Additionally her gift of music has won her a number of awards for singing. Although she has never focused on singing professionally, offers have been made and she has not ruled out the possibility of one day recording an album.

This well rounded lady has served in the Public Service for five years. She has worked in a number of agencies, but the one she has found most fulfilling is her short stay with the Urban Renewal Programme.  She finds pleasure working with children, especially those young impressionable minds ages 5 to 10.  The Urban Renewal Programme gave her an opportunity to teach computer skills to the kids and senior citizens as well as plan and execute an assortment of community projects.

Miss Grand Bahama 1974
Miss Bahamas 1975

Born July 9, 1957 in Nassau, Sharon is a graduate of St. Augustine’s College in Nassau and studied at Palm Beach Community College, the University of South Florida, and the University of Nairobi, Kenya. She is certified by the Association of Food and Drug Officials and United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) which teaches and governs Food safety for Import and Export in the Bahamas the United States and Internationally. She has also attained her Administrative and Directors Credentials for the State of Florida in Child Care and Development.
In 1973 on a two week visit to Freeport, Grand Bahama, Sharon was encouraged by family and friends to enter Miss Grand Bahama. She extended her stay, entered the pageant and was crowned Miss Grand Bahama 10 months later. She then represented the island of Grand Bahama in the Miss Bahamas Pageant and was crowned Miss Bahamas 1975 over 15 other contestants.
As Miss Bahamas she travelled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. As Miss Bahamas, Sharon had many firsts. She was the first Miss Bahamas to grace the cover of Jet Magazine’s October 2, 1975 publication. She was also the first Miss Bahamas to grace the covers of the first publications of The Islander, the In-flight magazine to Bahamas Air, and Sharon had another first as she graced the front Cover of Avia the In-flight magazine to International Air Bahama.
Sharon served her title well when she represented the Bahamas in the Miss Universe Pageant 1976 held in Hong Kong, CHINA.
 After her reign as Miss Bahamas Sharon relocated to Grand Bahama in 1977 and joined the Holiday Inn International Hotel chain. Following her personal motto, “the best way to the top is to start at the bottom” she worked from Front Office Cashier to Accounts Receivable Clerk to Accounts Receivable Supervisor and ended her 13 year career with Holiday Inn as the Senior Accountant in 1990.
She then went into business with her husband as the owner and operators of Bahamas International Fisheries and Conch Dog.  They are the creators of the first Bahamian Seafood Sausage “The Conch Dog”. They have received commendations from the Ministries of Tourism and Foreign Affairs for their contribution in promoting Bahamian Cuisine locally and in the United States.

In 1997 she and her family relocated to the United States to educate their sons and expand their business. They have and continue to own and operate restaurants like the Bahamian Touch in Riviera Beach and Coconuts Bahamas Grill in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The Ferguson’s have received several Keys to cities in Florida, they have been given the Key to the City from the Mayor of Pompano Beach, Florida at the Pompano Beach Seafood Festival 1996/97, the city of Deerfield Beach at the Mango Festival 1997, and the City of Pahokee in 2002 for their participation and promotion of Bahamian Cuisine and Culture. They are the founders of the Great Conch Fritter Seafood Festival (2000) held in the City of Riviera Beach Florida.
She and her husband Eldin A. Ferguson, Jr. are the authors of a cook book “The Bahamian Touch” a taste of the Bahamas published in 1998.
In 2000 the Diocese of South East Florida and St. George’s Episcopal Church in Riviera Beach, Florida contracted Sharon to serve as Executive Director of their Non-Profit Organizations and her company to handle the administration of their Outreach Ministries in South Florida which span from Key West in the south to Stuart, Florida in the North. The Outreach ministries included a Feeding Program which provides and serves two hot meals daily to low income families and homeless persons. A Community Centre which provides Social Services and an After School Program. The After School program is a Federal Funded Grant from the State of Florida through Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County. This program provides vital services to less fortunate latch key children in an improvised neighbourhood who would have otherwise been left to fend for themselves or in the care of other siblings while their parents worked or seek employment.
On May 17, 2008 The Bishop of the Diocese of Southeast Florida, The Rt. Rev. Leopold Frade, D.D. honoured Sharon at a festive dinner in Sharon’s name for her years of dedicated service and commitment to the poor and needy, and for having made a difference in the diocese as well as in the lives of those who benefited.    The City of Riviera Beach by proclamation made May 17, 2008 “Sharon Elaine Ferguson Day” in the City of Riviera Beach in appreciation for her love, devotion, hard work and unselfish contribution to business, family, and community services in the City of Riviera Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida.
A former member of St. George’s Episcopal Church, Riviera Beach, Florida she is a licensed Chalice Bearer. She has been a Vestry member for 8 years and has held the positions of Treasurer, Secretary, People Warden and Priest Warden. In September 2006 she completed Cursillo #99 in Delray Beach, Florida.  She and her family now worship at St. Agnes Anglican Church.