CASTRIES, St. Lucia – EIGHT beauties will be vying for the St. Lucia Carnival Queen title at Samaans Park on July 4.
The beauties were officially introduced to their sponsors at a special Sashing Ceremony, which took place at Sandals Regency and was hosted by radio personality Sergin of Wave 94.5. They are Oneka McKoy of Babonneau, Velma Soody of Soufriere, Leona Sandiford of Dennery, Cortney John-Soufriere, Iva Satney of Gros Islet, Alisha Hunte of Castries, Lasha William of Marchand and Patrish Lionel of Anse La Raye.
After some brief introductory remarks by Chairperson of the Carnival Queen Committee Michele Monrose, invited guests were treated to a rendition by Teddyson John.
The eight contestants were then introduced and made their way into the room, donning masks, and unveiling themselves as their names were called. Reigning Carnival Queen Cathy Daniel assisted in introducing them to their sponsors.
This year, the organisers have heeded several calls to make the event more inclusive of contestants from across the island, and it will be truly reflective of a national event.
Meanwhile, the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF) recently enrolled this year’s contestants for the National Carnival Queen Pageant in their version of charm school.
Lessons in social graces and exuding confidence are part of the National Pageant Workshop, facilitated by beauty expert Joycie Medrick.
Medrick said the workshop is designed to help the young ladies discover and develop themselves and the social graces, and how to skillfully make the first impressions.
“Beauty is really a lifestyle and it’s important that they understand the concepts and techniques applied,” she stated in a release. “So I’m going to be working with them on their total grooming and how best they can project themselves.”
Medrick noted that too often society over emphasises negatives instead of finding positives and it [society] projects that. She also stated that the workshop is not grooming persons only for a pageant, but for life.
“As I mentioned before, it is a lifestyle. It’s hard being beautiful and a lot of people don’t realise that. So, even with them being put together for a couple weeks, it's important for them to understand the process, and why certain things are done, and why certain things are required of them, and how they should follow through even after the pageant.”
Medrick said that a key concept of the workshop is promoting healthy living and eating, since the pageant world has evolved and is no longer about being skinny.
St. Lucia News