A 19-year old College student of Toronto has been crowned Miss Africanada 2002. Miss Mary Osei, a resident of Toronto and originally from Ghana, won the prestigious title against seven other contestants Saturday November 2. Mary, a final year nursing student at Humber College emerged on top at the end of three grueling rounds at the 4th annual African Heritage Pageant held at the auditorium of Don Bosco Catholic Secondary School in Etobicoke. The packed auditorium witnessed yet another entertaining and educative event involving 8 African-Canadian youth namely, Revina Kuma Ghana, Pauline Marimo Zimbabwe, Maureen Kizito Uganda, Pauline Salano Kenya Modupe Adedipe Nigeria, Mary Osei Ghana, Lucia Matsvayi Zimbabwe and Lydia Irutingabo Burundi.

The contestants held the audience spell-bound as they took them through a thrilling display of language, dance, talent and more importantly, intelligence responding to various questions on African Heritage, Sociology and Current Affairs. The 1st Runner-up position was taken by Lucia Matsvayi and the 2nd Runner-up was won by Revina Kuma. Other titles that were won by the contestants were Miss Photogenic Lydia Irutingabo, Miss African Heritage Maureen Kizito, Best talent Mary Osei, Miss eloquent Modupe Adedipe and Evening gown Maureen Kizito.

For her prize, Mary will be receiving a scholarship grant of $1000 from D & S Personnel Services, a return air ticket to visit Africa, courtesy Ethiopian Airlines, plus various gifts and treats from Iman Cosmetics and Afro Beauty supplies. The two runners-up will also be receiving educational grants of $700 and $500 respectively also from D & S Personnel Services. All other contestants will be receiving consolation prizes from African Heritage Association, organizers of the pageant. Major Sponsors of the 2002 pageant were D & S Personnel Services and. Ethiopian Airlines.