No representation since 1979
BASSETERRE St Kitts - IT is hard to believe that the last woman to represent the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis at the world renown Miss Universe Competition was back in 1979. Are we ready for another queen?
Based on research, the last beauty to have represented the Federation was a woman by the name of Cheryl Chaderton back in 1979 in Perth, Australia. And it was 18-year-old Maritza Sayelero of Venezuela who became the first woman of her nation that year to win the prestigious title.
The question still remains as to why St. Kitts and Nevis never sent another ambassador to the international pageant after only two appearances.
The other ambassador of beauty was Annette Emelda Frank, who won the Miss St. Kitts and Nevis Universe title back in 1977 and moved on to represent the Federation. Both women were unable to place in the top 15 position.
One would think that the destination of this contest would pose a setback for this small nation to send a representative, but in 1998 the Miss Universe Pageant was held in Trinidad and Tobago making it a closer destination to travel.
In their respective years, both women also won the National Carnival Queen titles.
The pageant then returned to the Caribbean in 2009 when it was held in The Bahamas and saw 83 of the world’s most beautiful women competing for the title. However, Stefania Fernandes from Venezuela won the title that year making it a repeat from her predecessor Dayana Mendoza.
The pageant in The Bahamas saw one of the largest turnout of Caribbean countries to ever participate in the annual event, but, like the critics would have it, Eastern Caribbean Nations are the least to make the first cut.
This is somewhat not true because back in 2010, from the land of Reggae music came the then 24-year-old, now TV personality, former Miss Jamaica Universe Yendi Phillips who placed First Runner-up to Miss Universe 2010 Ximenia Naverete.
Remember, in the past the Caribbean had twice won the title. So, will it not be nice to know that Miss St Kitts and Nevis Universe 2014 can make the Federation proud of her? But, that is a question only the local franchise holders can answer, if there is any.
