(Basseterre, St. Kitts) National Carnival Committee Chairman, Allister Williams, has announced the names of the five contestants entered in this year's annual National Carnival Queen Pageant. They are Samantha Canwood, of Sandy Point; Karissa Browne, Basseterre; Jermul Huggins, St. Peters; Jeanelle Adams, of Ponds Extension and Johan Kelly of St. Peters.
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| Johan Kelly of St. Peters |
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| Karissa Browne, Basseterre |
Currently Carnival officials, including Ms. Wanda Connor, the Queen Show Chair, have been meeting with contestants on a nightly basis to brief them on expectations of Pageant participants.
"This is with a view," Connor says, "to ensuring that all contestants have, at the very least, the minimum standards of participation."
Connor also said that all of the young women have been cooperating with the officials of the Pageant and have already struck a good rapport with each other.
"One of the myths we must dispel in competitions such as these," she stated, "is that the women are competing on a personal level and as women we want to say to the world that that is just not the case here."
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| Jeanelle Adams, of Ponds Extension |
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| Jermul Huggins, St. Peters |
According to Connor the contestants have been eager to get the contest on the road and behind them.
"This event is always second in popularity only to the Calypso Monarch Competition," she said, "Each year it is highly anticipated and talked about as much as discussions on the results of its nearest challenger."
Points will be awarded contestants in the following areas: Swimsuit, 35 points; Costume, 30 pts; Evening Wear, 40 pts; Talent, 35 pts and On Stage Interview, 40 pts. An additional 5 pts may be awarded for early arrival.
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| Samantha Canwood, of Sandy Point |
These 5 extra points are important, according to Miss Connor, to ensure that contestants appreciate the need for the programme to begin on time. "It can also mean the difference between a first and second place finish," she said, "should the results be close."
The Miss St. Kitts Competition takes place on Tuesday, 28 December from 8pm at Carnival Village, Basseterre.
