On Saturday, August 13, 2022, 25-year-old Ashley Lightburn beat five other finalists to be crowned Miss Universe Belize 2022 at the Bliss Centre for Performing Arts, Theatre in Belize City, Belize. A Belize City native herself, Lightburn — who is a mathematician, adjunct math lecturer at the University of Belize, and Project Management Officer of a bank — also enjoys being creative in her hand-crafting hobbies. As Miss Universe Belize 2022, Lightburn will now represent the country at the 71st Miss Universe Pageant later this year.
About Your New Miss Universe Belize
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Miss Universe Belize 2022 currently holds a Васhеlоr’ѕ іn Рurе Маthеmаtісѕ; сurrеntlу рurѕuіng а mаѕtеr’ѕ dеgrее іn Іntеrnаtіоnаl Вuѕіnеѕѕ Аdmіnіѕtrаtіоn. Lightburn has also maintained a strong connection to her high school alma mater Saint Catherine’s Academy, volunteering as a cheerleading coach since 2015 to instill thе рrіnсірlеs оf ѕіѕtеrhооd, соnfіdеnсе, аnd соmmunіtу. As a ѕtrоng аdvосаtе fоr wоmеn іn ЅТЕМ, Ashley encourages others towards mаthеmаtісѕ, hosting and participating іn thе Unіvеrѕіtу оf Веlіzе’ѕ аnnuаl mаthеmаtісѕ ѕуmроѕіum ѕіnсе grаduаtіng іn 2019.
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“Тhіѕ раgеаnt, tо mе, іѕ nоt оnlу аbоut dіѕрlауіng ехtеrnаl bеаutу but аlѕо аbоut іnnеr bеаutу. І аіm tо ѕhоw уоung gіrlѕ thаt уоu саn hаvе аll bеаutу аnd brаіnѕ, аnd уоu ѕhоuld uѕе іt tо іnѕріrе оthеrѕ аnd buіld уоur соuntrу.”
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While not crunching numbers and cheering on the next generation of women at SCA, Lightburn enjoys engaging in social outreach initiatives. Sponsored by Belizean Dreams Resort of Hopkins Village, Miss Universe Belize 2022 Ashley Lightburn succeeds Miss Universe Belize 2021 Iris Salguero.
Singh (left), Scott (middle), and Lightburn (right). Images via @missuniversebelize
Miss Universe Belize’s first runner-up is Alina Scott of Belmopan, Cayo, whilst Samantha Singh of Placencia, Stann Creek is the second runner-up. Samantha Singh was also named Miss Popularity. This year’s competition marks the second COVID-era Miss Universe pageant, with Saturday night marking the first in-person event since the pandemic.
Entertainment on the evening was provided by singers Stig Da Artist of Belmopan and Keylon Eiley of Placencia, whilst among the crowd were former Miss Universe Belize winners who have represented Belize internationally. Ysela Zabaneh (1990), Josephine Gault (1991), Debbie Wade (1995), Ava Lovell Belisle (1996), Jenelli Fraser (2018), Destinee Arnold (2019), and the outgoing Miss Universe, Iris Salguero (2021). Rebecca “Bex” Rath sat on the panel as a judge, whilst Destinee Arnold hosted the evening alongside fellow emcee Duane Moody.
Congratulations to all Miss Universe Belize 2022 contestants who courageously and gracefully faced this challenge, showing us six different variations of true beauty! This year’s delegates were Miss Cotongco Dry Goods, Sigourny Usher; Miss Paulino’s Funeral Home, Kaira Nuñez; Miss West Coast Coaching Services, Kenia Tejada; Miss Belizean Dreams, Ashley Lightburn; Miss Chial Reserve, Samantha Singh; and Miss Phoenix Boutique, Alina Scott.
