IT’S MY TIME

08.June.07

Melissa Yorke takes Miss SVG 2007 crown

When the new Miss St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Melissa Yorke, took a break from her studies in Marketing at the University of Plattsburg in New York to enter the Miss SVG pageant, some questioned her sanity, but when she was crowned Miss SVG 2007 early Sunday morning, she proved there was method to her madness.{{more}}

With just three months left to complete her studies in New York, the 24-year old said that her crowning proved that “Dreams really do come true.” Although with her win, she takes home a three-year university scholarship to read for a bachelor’s degree at the University of the West Indies, Yorke said that she would instead try to apply the scholarship to a Masters degree programme.

Yorke, who was sponsored by J’s Demure cosmetic line won the Photogenic award, captured the Best Evening Gown in her stunning white and gold gown designed by Brazilian-born, USA-based Jovani and shone with her intelligence by winning the Best Interview.

In answer to her first question, Yorke said that capitalising on the celebrities who visit these shores should encourage other tourists to visit, and in her second answer, she said that one of the advantages of living in an extended family, was that she was disciplined not only by her parents but by others in the household.

The Murray’s Village resident told Searchlight that even if she was not crowned she knew that she gave 100% and was proud of her performance. Yorke thanked everyone for their support admitted that she would always remember

her fellow contestants whom she bonded with.

Focusing on the future, the aspiring publicist/business owner said that she will immediately begin preparations for the Miss Carival pageant on July 6, and wanted to make her ambassadorship a positive one. She was ready to advise aspiring contestants to give the pageant a try and to start preparations now.

She encouraged, “I want to let little girls out there know that with hard work you would achieve whatever it was you wanted to do in life. As long as you work hard, your dreams do come true as is evident by my success (in the Miss SVG pageant) tonight.”

First runner up and winner of the Best Talent with her dramatization as a grandmother was Miss B Mobile Nelicia Thomas. The 22-year old Mayreau island lass also wowed the audience and judges with her stunning figure and won the best swimwear title.

Second runner up was Miss Millenium Bank Ltd Leykesha Glynn who drummed and danced her way into the hearts of the patrons with her spectacular Michael Jackson moves to the hit “Beat It.”

Miss Congeniality and Most Community Spirited Awards went to Miss Bailey’s Irish Cream Tessica Cupid. Miss Aquatic Club Natika Emmons, Miss Lotto Devon Greene, Nasheka Hoyte Miss 3D and Miss Mustique Company Shanique Peters were the other contestants.