BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - BEAUTIES representing 11 Caribbean islands are all set to put on a splendid show at the 33rd Annual Digicel Haynes Smith Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant.
At a press conference yesterday (Dec. 27) held at the Sugar Bay Hotel, media personnel were granted the opportunity to get a first look at and interact with nine of the 11 contestants.
Competitors vying for this year’s title are Miss St. Kitts Junika Berry (16), Miss Nevis Kevonie Pemberton (16), Miss Anguilla Dwayniqua Baird (16), Miss Bahamas Jayme Pinde (16), Miss Jamaica Kabrena Robinson (17), Miss St. Lucia Shartoya Jn Baptiste (17), Miss Trinidad and Tobago Clara Barker (17), Miss St. Croix Aniah N. John (14), Miss Barbados Zhané Padmore (18), Miss BVI Kamyce Penn (18), and 16-year-old Miss Grenada Melissa DeAllie.
Among those in attendance at the press conference were the reigning queen Siobhan Phipps, Digicel's Marketing Executive Jeanille Osbourne, Diana Humphrey, Contestant and Activities Coordinator Akila Nisbett, and Chairman and Executive Producer of the Haynes Smith Committee Antonio Maynard who thanked Digicel for its continued support.
Maynard said Digicel has been partnering with the Pageant for the past eight years and would like their fruitful relationship to be long lasting.
To the contestants, he said: "I want you to take the opportunity to see this as more than a competition. I want you to see Caribbean unity. I want you to see an experience that will remain with you for your entire life. I want you to make good friends. This Pageant must be a vehicle for exactly that."
Maynard said that persons could expect a spectacular, thought provoking and exciting production, as everyone is well-prepared and ready for the night's event.
Guest artiste for the night, Maynard said, would be Jamaican's very own G Whizz. He also said that Footsy, Hype and other artistes would be making appearances on that night.
When asked what they hoped to gain from this Pageant if crowned queen, the contestants elucidated that they want to be a role model to young ladies across the Caribbean in helping to build their self-confidence and to teach them that they could do anything, once they put their mind to it.
They explained that they would also like to teach young ladies about being comfortable in their own skin.
The reigning queen, who hails from St. Kitts, expressed that her reign had been a tiring but unforgettable one.
Phipps explained that she was granted the opportunity to not only be a role model for the persons on her island, but also youths throughout the Caribbean.
As part of the queen's prize this year, the winner will be given a Smartphone, compliments Digicel, while the First and Second Runners-up would also receive Digicel Smartphones.
Persons could also text to predict the winner on the night of the show, and one correct predictor would be chosen at random to receive a Smartphone. The draw would be done on the night of show.
Persons are encouraged to log onto the Haynes Smith Miss Caribbean Facebook page and vote for the Most Photogenic Contestant by liking her photo. The young lady with the most likes will win the title of Miss Photogenic.
Interested overseas persons who would not be able to attend the show will be able to view the event live on www.zizonline.com. However, a subscription fee is required for its viewing.
Sponsors for the show include title sponsor Digicel, ZIZ, The Cable, Carib Brewery, Petro Caribe, Miyvue.com, eCaribbean, National Carnival Committee, Tourism Authority.
Contrary to what persons may have thought, the venue for the show is Sugar Mill and not Carnival City, and it is scheduled to start at 8:00 tomorrow night (Dec. 29).
