Miss SVG 2011 Update

This year, nine young ladies will vie for the coveted three year EC$80,000 university scholarship that comes with the Miss St. Vincent and the Grenadines crown.

The Miss SVG Pageant which according to Chairperson of the Beauty Shows Committee Cheryl Rodriguez showcases not only beauty and talent but intelligence as well will be held at Victoria Park on Saturday May 28th.

During a Carnival Development Corporation (CDC) press conference on Monday March 28th at CDC’s office at Victoria Park, Rodriguez said that this year the Beauty Shows Committee recruited a number of the rural queens to take part in the pageant. She said that some of the girls have won the rural competitions while others have taken part in them.

The girls are currently in training which include’s exercise, posture, poise, walk, on-stage presentation, media and interview, current affairs, personal development, social graces, self esteem, personal hygiene, nutrition, confidence building, communication and body language skills, bio preparation, professional make-up techniques, grooming, image development and wardrobe selection. The girls are also working along with talent coordinator Maxine Browne.

Said Miss Rodriguez, “Miss SVG is more that a pretty face and parading a swimsuit. We prepare contestants for life. The training they receive should assist in making well-rounded citizens of all contestants. There should be a transformation when they take part in Miss SVG”.

A Programme of Activities saw the contestants taking part in a photo shoot on Monday April 11th while these photos will be placed at Singer on May 18th .On May 1st the girls will journey to Bequia while they will make their first public appearance on May 7th during the launch of Carnival when they will be sashed by their sponsors at the Solidarity Inc. Car Park on Bay Street. Between May 9th and May 13th they will visit the various secondary schools while on May 13th, they will do a talent preview at the Peace Memorial hall. On May 14th, the girls will meet the media at the Young Island Resort while on May 15th , they will take a Road Trip to the Windward Side of the island. On May 16th and 19th , the nine girls will take part in live radio interviews while on May 17th an open interview session at CDC’s conference room where people can come in and ask them questions will be held starting from 4.30 p.m. On May 18th, the bevy will visit The Helping Hands Centre and the School for Children with Special Needs. On May 21st the girls will take part in a motorcade and on May 22nd they will journey to the Leeward Side of the island. They will visit Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves on May 25th while May 26th a dress rehearsal will take place.

Rodriguez said that nine Mas Bands have agreed to outfit the contestants with costumes for their initial appearance on stage on the night of the show. The bands are Blondie Bird and Friends, Dragon’s Cultural Organization, Nelson Bloc, Mirage Productions, Melbourne Artisans, Owen Ralph and the Professionals, High Voltage Mas Productions, Ahdrenalin Mas and Imagination (formerly My Imagination).

Rodriguez said that the contestants will be judged in four categories- Swimwear 25 points, talent 20 points, evening wear 25 points and interview 30 points.

Apart from the Government scholarship, the winner of Miss SVG 2011 will receive EC$8,000.00 from the CDC. The 1st runner-up will receive EC$5,000, the 2nd runner-up will get EC$3,000 and all other contestants will get EC$1,000 each.

Rodriguez revealed that the Miss SVG Pageant is into its 60th year and this year the show will be centered around that.

Meanwhile, Miss Carival 2011 carrying the theme, “26 Years of Exquisite Pageantry-1985-2011” will be held on Friday July 1st. The winner of Miss SVG 2011 will represent SVG at this pageant where she will come up against nine other girls from various countries throughout the region.

Rodriguez said that several countries have already responded positively to the Miss Carival show and only the first nine countries will be accepted. She said that they will be dealing with the Miss Carival entrants on a first come first serve basis.

12,04.2011 - Story by Lyf Compton