SHERIDAN IS QUEEN

From the moment 22-year-old Sheridan Lewis, Miss Roy’s Inn stepped onto the stage in her fiery red costume, it was evident that this young woman had captured the attention of the audience with not only her great looks but also her positive personality.

Comfortably strutting her well-toned, shapely figure in front of the huge crowd that had gathered at the Victoria Park on Saturday, June 3 for the Miss SVG Beauty Pageant, the articulate Lewis, who by profession is a radio broadcaster, won the best interview title.{{more}}

Intelligently explaining in her first answer the challenge women faced in terms of equality in the workforce, and pointing out in her second answer that her most memorable experience on stage was performing her talent that night, Lewis received loud applause.

But the most thunderous applause of appreciation was showered on Lewis when she performed Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You,” hitting every high note right on key. Her performance was enough to give goose bumps to any listener and sure enough, the judges thought the same, when they gave her the Best Talent title.

In an interview with Searchlight Newspaper after the pageant, an ecstatic Lewis exclaimed, “I feel excited, it’s overwhelming…oh my gosh…the experience was really self-building and it was so much love I received. I love my Vincentian people.”

Asked which segment was her time to shine, she immediately stated that it was her talent. Ready to give advice to young ladies who want to enter the show, Lewis advised, “Whatever goals you may have in life, believe it in your heart, and always work towards it and you will achieve it. Just depend on God for your guidance and strength and you will achieve it.”

The Queen who will be pursuing studies in Business Administration and Marketing admitted that coming from a Christian background, it was difficult to get support for the show.

With a nervous chuckle the Arnos Vale resident confessed, “It was somewhat challenging because everyone has their own opinions about religion, but from the beginning I sought the guidance from God and I think that this moment…it wouldn’t have possible without him!”

First runner up was 19-year-old Karen Veira, Miss Bailey’s Irish Cream, who also copped the Best Swimwear and Best Evening Gown titles, while second runner up 21-year-old Danielle Ollivierre, Miss Caribbean Awnings took the Miss Photogenic Title.

The other contestants were: Arianne Browne, Miss Vincentian Newspaper who captured the Miss Congeniality and Most Community Spirited titles, Natally Harry, Miss Caribbean Bank Notes, Jihan Lampkin, Miss Lotto, and Naressa Ollivierre, Miss Mustique Company Limited.

Despite the occasional downpour of rain, which at one point caused water to get into the electronic equipment resulting in a power outage on stage, the show flowed relatively smoothly.

Performances by local artistes Jamesy P, Skarpyon, Akcess, Shaunelle Mc Kenzie and National Lotteries Authority Sion Hill Euphonium Steel Orchestra were all commendable.