BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - MANY may have heard the name Berriscia Byron, but do they know that she is only 15 years old and has already won four pageants and the Rotaract Talent Search Dance Competition back in 2005?
Byron hails from New Road Housing and is currently a fourth former at the Basseterre High School, where she is undergoing studies in ten subject areas.
SKNVibes recently spoke with the young queen, who will be representing St. Kitts at the Miss Haynes Smith Talented Teen Pageant on December 30.
Q: Can you tell us who Berriscia Byron is?
A: Let’s see. I am a fun-loving, intelligent and ambitious young lady who loves the simple things in life. I love dancing, playing football and netball, and just enjoying all that life has to offer me.
Q: How many shows have you entered and what are they?
A: I have entered and won four pageants. They are: St. Theresa’s Convent School Prince and Princess, Rotaract Prince and Princess, Miss Basseterre High School and Miss UDC Talented Teen Pageant.
Q: What is your view on winning a pageant?
A: One is able to feel a sense of accomplishment as their hard work is rewarded. There is much preparation and dedication involved in preparing for a pageant and the ultimate goal is to be crowned the winner. So once you are crowned, you definitely feel accomplished.
Q: Have you always been interested in pageantry?
A: Yes, I love entering pageants! It means so much more to me than just going out on stage. I am able to display my talent, meet new people, develop my public speaking skills and improve my self-esteem and self-confidence. I use pageantry as an avenue to better myself.
Q: As a young lady under the spotlight, why would you say it is important to maintain a good character?
A: That’s simple. You are being monitored and under public scrutiny and so it’s very important to be a person of good character when trying to serve as a role model for others.
Q: How has your reign been for the Miss Basseterre High and Miss Talented Teen?
A: I’m enjoying it very much. I’ve had a fairly quiet year so far. In September, I began training for Haynes Smith Caribbean Talented Teen and that’s about it.
Q: How do you feel about representing your country in the upcoming Miss Caribbean Talented Teen?
A: I’m really excited! I’m working really hard so that I can make my country proud. I think I will be putting out my best efforts for this pageant because I am now serving as an ambassador on a regional level. It’s a much bigger responsibility but I’m ready for the challenge.
Q: You recently lost your brother, if you could make a presentation or dedicate your talent performance to him, what would you do?
A: Losing my brother was a very devastating time in my life and I would rather not do such a talent. It will just take me back to a moment that greatly saddens me, and I like to be uplifting and positive in my talent performances. Words cannot describe the love I have for my brother but I do not think that a talent of that nature is appropriate as this time.
Q: As a teenager, how do you feel about crime in our country and what measures do you think can be put in place to help?
A: I’m certainly not pleased with the crime rate in our country, but I think that it takes a village to raise a child and it must start with us. As the late Michael Jackson said, change has to start with the “Man in the Mirror”. Instead of pointing fingers at law enforcement, we have to ask ourselves what we can do to help our country. Citizens can get together and organise anti-crime campaigns and develop initiatives to make our neighborhoods safer. At the same time, I’d like to see a greater police presence on the island. Officers can be stationed in high-crime areas and implement solid crime prevention operations.
Q: What are your future goals? Do you have plans to enter Miss St. Kitts?
A: First, I want to do well on my CXC examinations and graduate high school at the top of my class. I also hope to get accepted into Ross University and ultimately become a veterinarian. With regards to National Carnival Queen Pageant, it’s every Kittitian girl’s dream, but, for now, most of my long-term goals are academic and career-oriented. It’s still a possibility but I haven’t given it much thought as of now.
