Passion and brilliance unleashed

With the Best Swim Wear, Best Evening Gown and Best Interview sashes already burdening her slender shoulders, 20-year-old Chateaubelair resident Veronique Williams was neither surprised nor disappointed to have the extra burden of the Miss St. Vincent and the Grenadines 2009 sash and the crown on her head.{{more}}

Much to the delight of the majority of patrons at the crowded Victoria Park in the wee hours of Sunday, May 31st, Williams took her place in history and began her reign.

The D’archeville Construction Equipment Sales Caribbean Limited sponsored contestant outshone seven of her peers on her way to doing what she had prophesied she would do weeks ago in an interview with SEARCHLIGHT.

The receptionist failed to take the Best Talent category, which was won by First Runner Up Yasmeen Hadaway, who was sponsored by LIME.

Hadaway’s talent, a dance routine, topped the other contestants, whose talents consisted of singing, dancing, a skit and a dj performance.

Second Runner Up was Lotto sponsored Nickillia Slater-Bridgewater.

Other awards on the night went to Kristell Cambridge Lewis, sponsored by Mustique Company, who won Miss Photogenic. Miss Congeniality was won by the Williams Agencies and Fragrances sponsored Eshurnia Glasgow, and Tenille Austin, sponsored by FirstCaribbean International Bank, won the Community Spirited award.

The other contestants were Kimorra Lavia, who was sponsored by Super Six, and Asmara Whiskey, sponsored by Caribbean Medical Imaging Center.

Williams, who listed her hobbies as singing, dancing and interacting with people, gained the judges’ nods with her swimwear and her orange gown entitled Sunset Bliss.

She was fluent during the interview segment when asked “What is the difference between entering a rural pageant as opposed to the Miss SVG pageant?” and “How is St. Vincent and the Grenadines advancing through technology?” She will grace the stage once more, at the Miss Carival pageant on Friday, July 3rd.

The show was not without its expected memorable moments, which came about when the usually calm and composed contestants, who went through most of their routines almost flawlessly, lost a nerve or two.

The new look pageant saw, among other things, the contestants’ interview coming directly after the parade of their gowns.

There were also fewer guest appearances. The night’s performances included Rhythmix Steel Orchestra, new song winners Brother Ebony and Icon, and comedienne Nickki Crosby, who doubled as MC with Earl Abbott.

The show, which organizers had promised would be completed in about four hours, got started promptly at 8pm and finished within three hours and forty five minutes. It took another 45 minutes, however, for the judges to reach their final decision.

The next event on the CDC’s calendar of activities is Fantastic Friday, which takes place on June 19th.