Digicel reaffirms commitment
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – EXECUTIVE PRODUCER of the 31st edition of the Digicel Haynes Smith Talented Teen Pageant, Antonio Maynard has predicted that the event would be an explosive one.
Maynard, at a Press Conference hosted yesterday (Dec. 28) at the Sugar Bay Hotel in Frigate Bay, stated that 11 beautiful and intelligent teenagers from the Caribbean region will be competing for the title currently held by the representatives of St. Lucia and St. Kitts-Nevis.
The pageant is scheduled for tomorrow night at the Sugar Mill and Maynard said patrons would not see 12 young ladies taking the stage as originally planned, because Miss Dominican Republic has opted out due to reasons unknown.
He said there would never be a repeat of last year results, where Berriscia Byron of St. Kitts-Nevis and St. Lucia’s Consuelo Dupal had tied on points and had to jointly share the title. Arguably, it was the first time in the history of pageants held around the world that two young ladies were crowned queens in the same competition.
“We have implemented rules that will ensure that there is never another tie and, therefore, we can say that this is one for the history books,” Maynard said.
He said the annual event is one of the region’s most prestigious pageants, noting that with its impressive track record it is the most sought after in the Caribbean.
Addressing the change of venue, Maynard said with the pageant moving to the Sugar Mill, patrons would be provided with a better ambiance, seating and an opportunity to enjoy a pageant that includes the region’s most talented and brilliant young ladies.
He pointed out that the Sugar Mill has a number of advantages, noting that should it rain patrons would be properly covered because there are many tents and the football venue provides additional shelter.
Guest artiste for the evening will be Trinidad and Tobago’s Ziggy Ranking, while comedian Ezekial ‘Fat Man’ George out of Grenada and local radio and television personality Jason Davis will host the show.
Maynard said the absence of the representatives from Guyana and St. Thomas at the press conference was as a result of the arrival of their flight later that evening.
He said they have had some great shows over the past 30 years and “it can be regarded easily as the biggest show during the Carnival season”.
Maynard disagreed with the notion that the pageant could be termed lengthy and considered drawn out, noting that it is normally executed in a timely manner. He said that despite having 10-12 girls, they were able to conclude every event in good time.
“We have been told over the years that we have been moving the pageant at a fast pace and sometimes the public has asked us to slow it down for them,” he added.
Meanwhile, Country Manager of Digicel St. Kitts and Nevis, Sean Latty said his company is very proud to once again associate with the pageant. He noted that while Digicel is celebrating five years in the federation, they have been associated with the show for the same amount of years.
“We at Digicel are very proud with the level and standard of the pageant. I want to say that we do not see this as a beauty pageant, but rather as a talented teen pageant, where the young ladies can showcase their talent and intelligence,” he said.
Latty attributed the continued good relationship between his company and the organisers to the excellent and very high professional staging of the pageant. He issued an appeal to the nine contestants present to be professional and to bring their “A game”, noting that while one would walk away victorious, they are all winners in their own right.
“Bring your A game and have fun while you are doing that, as you will leave knowing and learning more about other cultures and persons,” Latty said.
Latty said that such a pageant demonstrates the true meaning of his company, pointing out that they operate in 23 Caribbean islands and, as such, recognise the need to support the initiative.
“We have been able to leverage on our investment, as we have been able to be associated with a pageant that caters to other islands. And Digicel believes in supporting such initiatives which promote the Caribbean, as we will continue to give back to the youngsters,” he noted.
The reigning queens expressed their appreciation and thanks to the organisers and sponsors, noting that it was an interesting 12-month experience-gathering.
They urged the contestants to do their best, stressing that whatever happens on the night of the show would forever change their lives, as they would have established lifelong relationships.
The countries that are contesting tomorrow's competition are Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Thomas, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, and host country St. Kitts and Nevis.
