Miss SVG 1951 returns for 60th edition of show

She admitted to being a bit nervous after she and the other passengers were made to disembark the aircraft after it was discovered that there was a technical glitch{{more}} in the aircraft, but nevertheless, Audrey Hazell-Gomes, Miss SVG 1951, said that she was overwhelmed to be a part of the 60th edition of the Miss SVG which comes off tomorrow night at the Victoria Park.

Her name is recorded in the Carnival history books as the inaugural Miss SVG, having been crowned on February 4, 1951; and she still remembers the experience.

“Back then, there was just about seven girls,” Hazell told members of the media who greeted her at the E. T. Joshua airport on Wednesday, May 25.

“It was a nice little show at the Lyric Cinema,” she continued.

The contestants paraded around in cocktail dresses, compared to the many categories that are now a part of the Miss SVG show.

“There was a show in between and then they called us back on stage and announced the winner,” Hazell explained.

“That’s how it was, quite simple,” she said.

She received $50 and three months free hairstyling at one of the local salons; this compared to the scholarship that is now offered.

“I went up as Miss Rival Blues – back in those days I used to play netball, I had just left school and was a member of the Rival Blues Club,” Hazell said.

As for her response on the night, Hazell was quite modest and said that her naming as Carnival Queen (as it used to be known then) came as a surprise, but she added that she took her victory in stride.

She has now made Trinidad and Tobago her permanent residence, but said that she often visits the shores of her birth, more so her native Bequia.

Hazell is expected to make an appearance tomorrow night at the Miss SVG 2011 as the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC) celebrates the diamond anniversary of pageantry.

As for Hazell, she says that she is thrilled to grace the stage once more and appreciates the fact that there is still some passion among the Vincentian people for their first Carnival Queen. (DD)