BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – JUST one day after the history-making performance by Nevisian King Astro at the National Senior Calypso Monarch Competition, another Nevisian has ensured that the island’s name is again written in the annals of St. Kitts and Nevis National Carnival.
It was the first time in the 36-year history of the Haynes Smith Talented Teen Competition that Queen City Nevis will have bragging rights for a year after its representative, 18-year-old Nelia Jones, had won the 2015/2016 edition held last evening (Dec. 29) at the Sugar Mill on Port Zante.
Nine islands from across the Caribbean participated in the event, at the end of which Jones triumphed over her competition with just a three-point lead.
The full slate of contestants consisted of Jones, 17-year-old Jovoncia Proctor of Anguilla, 16-year-old Beviny Payne of Barbados, 16-year-old Lécresha Wallace of Dominica, Grenada’s 18-year-old Aina Cenac, Jamaica’s 18-year-old Jenelle Baldie, 15-year-old Rikki Blake-Brookes of St. Kitts, 13-year-old Jondalin Brown of St. Maarten and 14-year-old Akira Pickering-Haynes of the USVI.
From the audience’s perspective, the competition was difficult to call especially with every contestant giving their all onstage. It was however evident that Miss St. Kitts may have lost her confidence as the competition progressed, having stumbled during the Theatrical Appearance segment. She also had obvious difficulty with the Onstage Interview Segment.
Miss St. Maarten also struggled in the Onstage Interview Segment. After stumbling through it, she requested that the host read the question a third time before making another attempt at answering.
Miss USVI too had difficulty in the Onstage Interview Segment.
The Theatrical Appearance was won by Miss Nevis and the Onstage Interview Segment was won by Miss Grenada.
The Performing Talent Segment was particularly enjoyable to audience members although some expressed their wish that it was more appealing and outside of the ordinary.
Nonetheless, a number of burning issues were addressed, including the effects of Tropical Storm Erica on Dominica, teenagers suffering from depression, teenage girls having to take care of their many younger siblings and freedom.
Miss Anguilla was declared winner of this Segment through dance, which she portrayed a teenager who struggled with depression and suicidal tendencies because of the death of her brother. She eventually decided to and followed through with ending her life, ensuring that she left a note to her father, which she hoped was enough to explain why she took that action.
The pieces displayed during the Evening Wear Segment were beautiful, but it was that of Miss USVI which caught the audience’s attention with the fuchsia bodice part of it tastefully decorated with pieces of mirror.
It appeared to have been a wow-factor for the judges also, because Miss USVI was successful in that Segment. Her dress was dubbed ‘Mirrors of Reflection’.
As the overall points were being revealed, applause came from the crowd when Grenada was named Second Runner-up with 717.5 points and Miss Dominica First Runner Up with 718 points.
When Miss Nevis’ name was called as the winner, she fell to the ground, possibly in disbelief, but appeared happy that she was able to make history while doing her island proud.
SKNVibes is advised that this is the third or fourth time that Nevis has entered this competition.
