Leeonney Bentick is Miss P’tani 2012

Leeonney Bentick says that she is in no hurry to become a contestant in the Miss SVG show and intends to wait at least until 2014 to do so.{{more}}

Bentick, who was crowned Miss P’tani 2012 last Friday, June 15, at the La Croix Palletization plant, said that although she thinks she is ready to make that step, she still needs to make some improvements.

“So, I will just develop my communication skills, exercise, get fit and well toned so that when I go in 2014, I would be ready for them.”

The talented teenager was also crowned Miss Unity Youth 2012 on May 19.

According to the 17-year-old Calder Ridge resident, her self-confidence has been boosted since her most recent outing at the Miss P’tani pageant. There was no swimwear category in the Miss Unity Youths pageant, and according to Bentick, she was nervous at first about that appearance. But after winning that category, Bentick said that she is now more confident about her body.

Bentick won three of the categories, including the ‘Best Interview’, ‘Best Swimwear’ and ‘Best Evening Wear’.

Although she said that she was confident, Bentick said that she did feel a bit unprepared.

She, however, told SEARCHLIGHT that she was able to remain focused and went out on stage and put on a good performance.

Now a final year student at the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College, Bentick said that she thinks that the experience from her participation in these two pageants will help in her future professional life, in that she has become more confident.

She further explained that she would like to become an entrepreneur one day and one of the characteristics of being a succesful entrepreneur is possessing the ability to take risks.

She further contended that she has since become bold, because as a contestant, she had to parade on stage in front of a large crowd.

“And to be subjected to negative criticism and judgment,” Bentick said.

Kenisha Matthias, Miss Courts (St Vincent) Ltd was judged first runner-up and Samantha Wilson, Miss People’s Pharmacy, rounded up the top three.

Wilson was also awarded the ‘Miss Congeniality’ title and Natasha Abraham, Miss Red Dog Garage, the ‘Miss Photogenic’ title.

Allisa Martin made it on the honours list after the judges gave her the ‘Best Talent’ award.

Rounding up the contestants on the night were Rosanna Maloney, Sherena Scott and Shannell Pierre.

It was also a night of queens, as five former P’tani Queens graced the stage, including Doradeen Laborde-Campbell (1981), Deon Paul (2003), Patsy Richards (2009), Anna Laborde (2010) and Shackell Bobb (2011). (DD)