On Friday 10th December, 26 year old Shamika Ecclesia Eddy, a Kittitian student who attends the Borough of Manhattan Community College won the first ever Miss Cultural Queen Pageant which was organized by the Caribbean Student Association. Shamika was consistent throughout the entire pageant and was undeniably the crowd’s favorite.
After competing in five judged segments namely, Cultural Wear, Ambassadorial Speech, Talent, Evening Wear and Interview, Shamika outdid her competitors and won the Best Performing Talent. In a dramatic piece, Shamika depicted an impoverished cane cutter who toiled in the fields to feed her family and make ends meet. Eddy entered the stage singing Crucial Bankie’s popular Tune “Sweet Liamuiga” while mimicking the actions of a cane cutter hard at work. After many years of blood, sweat and tears, Shamika used her last dollar to purchase a lottery ticket. Lo and behold, Shamika’s ticket was indeed a winning one. Now that she was able to feed her family and live comfortably, Shamika felt like she’s “Gonna Make It”. Eddy ended her energetic and emotional performance with a touching rendition of Infamus’ hit, “Gonna Make It”.
Shamika said that although she was confident that she did well, she was stunned when they announced her name as the winner of the 2010 Miss Cultural Queen Pageant.
The other countries who participated in the pageant were Trinidad, Belize, Barbados, Honduras, Haiti and Jamaica.
Trinidad was adjudged first runner up and Belize second runner.
Shamika who is pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration is the Vice President of the Honor Society of Black Students Scholars in her college and has been a part of this organization for two years. She is very active in school as a student ambassador and continues to excel academically.
Shamika will like to thank her mother, Miss Barbara Henry and her father, Miss. Arthur Eddy, other family members and friends for their love and support. For their kind assistance, Shamika will also like to thank Miss Sudeakka Francis and Miss Dencia Connor and the members of the Caribbean Student Association.
