BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – TWO youngsters, Jonika Francis and Elviquan Longley, were last evening (Jul. 29) crowned Queen and King respectively of the Youth Department’s 32nd Residential Summer Camp Pageant.
The annual event, which took place at the Beach Allen Primary School, saw 12 children (six of each gender) competing for the two coveted crowns.
The contestants, whose ages ranged between eight and 16, were judged in four segments – Introductory Speech, Creative Wear, Talent and Party Wear.
In her successful quest, Francis amassed 234 points and was adjudged winner of the Introductory Speech, Creative Wear and the Party Wear segments, while Clevonya Mitchum with 217.5 points copped the First Runner-up position. She also won the Talent segment.
With a total of 174 points, Serita Duporte won the judges’ nod for Second Runner-up.
For the Creative Wear segment, geared only for females, the contestants were required to only use material found on camp. And the contestants were indeed creative as they donned garments made out of paper plates, foil paper, manilla, garbage bags, napkins and empty snack wrappers.
In that segment Francis had sported a paper plate and garbage bag suit.
In the final segment, the contestants took to the stage in outfits that depicted the type of party they would attend, ranging from formal to beach parties.
In taking the King’s crown, Longley tallied 171.5 points and won the Introductory Speech segment during the process, while Elandre Cannoire took the first Runner-up position with 143 points and Tejanie Mullings, with 137 points, was adjudged Second Runner-up.
According to one of the coordinators, despite the short notice, “a week and a half, the pageant was well executed and attended”.
It was observed that most, if not all, of the attendees were in approval of the judges’ decision.
The contestants as well as the audience were entertained by the Impulse Band, which is the house band, consisting of past campers.
With the help of Camp Director Geoffrey Hanley, the outgoing King and Queen presented the contestants with their prizes.
