BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FOUR Carnival and cultural ambassadors of St. Kitts and Nevis have been endowed with monetary contributions to assist them in preparing to represent the Federation in a number of regional events to take place over the upcoming months.
A handing-over ceremony was held yesterday afternoon (May 24) at the office of the Department of Culture where officials of the Ministry of Culture were on hand to facilitate the transfer.
The reigning National Carnival Queen Orngel Erskine, the reigning Miss National Carnival Swimsuit Alsanarda Hanley, reigning National Calypso Monarch Oscar ‘King Astro’ Browne and First Runner Up in the Sugar Mas 44 National Carnival Queen Competition Khyla Browne were the recipients of the packages.
Erskine would be travelling to St. Vincent in early July to represent the Federation in the Miss Carival competition and later that month, she would also participate in the Miss Jaycees show in Antigua.
Also in July, Hanley would be off to Anguilla to compete in the Miss Venus Swimsuit Pageant. Calypso Monarch King Astro would be representing the Federation in the Leeward Islands Calypso Competition and Browne would be participating in the Miss Caribbean Culture Pageant in Nevis.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture Stanley Knight, speaking on behalf of Minister Shawn K. Richards, said the Ministry is pleased to make such an investment.
“…Quite a pleasure for us to be able to make this type of an investment because many persons see this type of gesture as only a reward. But as we look at the talent that we have here with this afternoon, that we understand that what is being done here is not just a question of reward for their hard work…but it is also an investment that the country is making in these individuals who we know will do an excellent job in terms of representing us in terms of carrying the name and the flame and the brand of St. Kitts and Nevis throughout the region.”
Director of Culture Troy ‘Biff’ Mills said he knows the group would do a tremendous job in representing the Federation and without putting too much pressure on them, informed that it would be great if they could win their competitions. He congratulated them on the Sugar Mas 44 wins and, as did Knight, he wished them all the best for the upcoming shows.”
All expressed thanks to the Department of Culture and the Carnival Committee for their contribution all indicated that they would be putting their best foot forward in their bid to win each competition.
