BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE contestants in this year’s annual Caribbean Culture Queen Pageant, as usual, will get the hospitable royal treatment while on Nevis leading up to the well-anticipated event, which will include a welcome reception hosted by Premier Hon. Vance Amory as well as a Church Service.
The Pageant, slated to take place at the Cultural Complex from 8:00 p.m., will feature 12 contestants from across the Caribbean region, including representatives from St. Kitts and host island Nevis.
This show will be staged as part of Nevis’ 39th annual Culturama Festival.
One of the organisers, Randy Jeffers, shared with SKNVibes that it is important that the visiting contestants be engaged in different outing activities because of the need to “expose them to what St. Kitts-Nevis has to offer”.
Further speaking about ensuring the contestants have an enjoyable and memorable time in the Federation, Jeffers said it is customary to ask the Premier of Nevis to host the Cocktail reception for them.
He went on to say that Sundays are religious days in St. Kitts-Nevis and it would be Culturama weekend while the contestants are here, and so it provides an opportunity to further promote the Pageant.
Pageant Coordinator Hazel Francis, in a recent press release, shared that the visiting delegation comprising contestants and their chaperones would begin converging on Queen City Nevis on Saturday (Aug. 3), where they would be met by the reigning Caribbean Culture Queen, Trevicia Adams, who hails from St. Kitts.
Later that evening, a ‘meet and greet’ will be hosted by local businessman Deon Daniel at the island’s newest exquisite hospitality venue, Hamilton Beach Condos/Villas on Nevis’ scenic west coast.
And on Sunday morning (Aug. 4), the contestants will participate in a worship ceremony at the St. Paul’s Anglican Church starting at 9:00 a.m. Francis stated that Canon Ernest Flemming “has gracefully consented to their participation in the Service”.
Following the Church Service, the beauties are scheduled to have lunch at Sunshine’s Beach Bar and Grill on Pinney’s Beach before heading to the St. James’ Raceway for race-day action.
Francis highlighted that the action-packed Sunday would also include an official ‘Welcome to Nevis’ reception to be hosted by the Premier of Nevis, Hon. Vance Amory.
Additionally, later that evening, the delegates will be rehearsing at the Cultural Complex, after which they will attend a Luncheon at Yachtsman Grill that will be hosted by the Deputy Premier and Minister of Tourism and Culture, the Hon. Mark Brantley.
Francis talked about the intangible benefits that the contestants would attain by participating in a show of this nature.
“The 2013 delegates will share their accomplishments and various aspects of their respective island’s culture before a live appreciate audience, whose applause and recognition will help to infuse poise and self-esteem – essential features to a lady’s development, at a point when women are making tremendous strides in equal rights and career opportunities.”
“Participating in our Miss Caribbean Culture Queen Pageant plays an important role in attaining these goals. And for this reason, we are extremely proud of the achievements of all of these young ladies,” Francis added.
Additionally, she pointed out that “the Pageant provides a learning experience for the young ladies. They come together, meet, greet and make new friends while at the same time creating lasting friendships”.
According to Francis, “Though the main objective is to win the title, crown and accompanying prizes, there is always that spirit of togetherness when the dazzling beauties from across the region come together on Nevis.”
Nevis will be represented by the reigning Culturama Queen, Denesia Smithen, while the reigning National Carnival Queen, Zinga Imo, will be representing St. Kitts.
The other contestants are: Miss Curacao Jurnalis Henson, Miss Dominican Republic Rosa Martinez, Miss Montserrat Kadija Furlonge, Miss St. Lucia Filamena Day, Miss St. Croix (USVI) A’Jada Burke, Miss Guyana Faydeha King, Miss St. Vincent and the Grenadines Karla Gellizeau, Miss Dominica Leslassa Amour-Shillingford, Miss Trinidad and Tobago Jenelle Thongs and Miss Anguilla Taitu Goodwin.
