Hard work pays off for Miss SVG pageant winner

Shadeisha George had long said that she has what it takes to be crowned Miss SVG.

That talk became reality on Saturday, May 31, when the first-time beauty pageant contestant was crowned Miss SVG 2014, beating out seven other hopefuls, at the Victoria Park.{{more}}

The 21-year-old Lowmans Leeward resident was crowned shortly after 1 a.m., at the Victoria Park, triggering shouts of her name from fans gathered just beyond the barricades – some of whom led a march backstage to greet the queen.

“I am extremely elated and the hard work definitely paid off. The pageant from the get go was established as a very competitive one and it was just a matter of delivering on the night and being in favour of the judges,”

George told SEARCHLIGHT, as she sat with flowers and a crown that shone, as it reflected the lights from the stage.

With her win, George, who was sponsored by LIME, also bagged the coveted $80,000 scholarship to attend the University of the West Indies, along with other awards and prizes.

“I am thankful for the experience to have entered into the Miss SVG pageant this year.

I cannot express how thankful

I am to the persons who contributed towards my success. My chaperon, Kimon Baptiste, my talent co-ordinator Jemlia Pope, other persons such as Andrea Bowman, Charmain Tappin-John, my friends and family and everyone who has supported me throughout this journey. They have been extremely phenomenal and I just want to say thank you,” George said.

George, a former student of the Girls’ High School (GHS), who had to stave off stiff competition coming into the show from other contestants who had pageant experience, also won the best evening wear and talent segments of the show.

Her former GHS schoolmates, Miss Mustique Co Ltd Karla Gellizeau and Miss Agricultural Input Warehouse Shackell Bobb took the first and second runner-up spots, respectively.

Gellizeau also won the best swim wear category and Bobb, the Miss Photogenic award and the best interview category.

The show, which began on schedule at 8 p.m., saw the eight contestants sporting Ancestral Wear in the introductory appearance, instead of mas costumes produced by local mas bands, as had been done in previous years.

The well-decorated stage, surrounded by a mini flower garden and a water fountain, set the ambience for what was geared to be a great show.

According to the new queen, she believed her performance in the keenly contested talent segment propelled her towards capturing the crown.

With careful precision and much creativity, George performed an “aerial dance,” which saw her dangling several feet above the stage, suspended by white sheets wrapped around a large frame.

“I believe that I did perform an extremely impressive talent. It was something that I always wanted to do. It was one that was different and provided a wow factor for St Vincent and the Grenadines, just because it was something that was never done before,” George said, adding that she began working on her talent in March.

In the evening wear category, Shadeisha’s gown, designed by top local designer Kimon Baptiste, was inspired by tribal royalty and embraces African heritage. George glided across the stage in the teal and black ensemble, which hugged her slender frame. The gown was accessorized by black stilettos, necklace, earrings and bracelet.

This is the fifth consecutive year that gowns designed by Baptiste have won best evening wear award.

Perhaps Shadeisha’s biggest rival on the night, Shackell Bobb, during her talent, a monologue entitled “One person can influence a generation” showcased how Vybz Kartel, a Jamaican artiste who was recently convicted for murder, has influenced the present generation.

Bobb, using the setting of a classroom, nicely packaged an entertaining and positive piece geared towards showing how the Dancehall artiste’s music, dress code and way of life have impressed upon the youth today.

In concluding her performance, Bobb sang one of the artiste’s hit songs, “School”, which encourages education.

“Me say pull up yo pants and put it pon yo waist… Me study fo de test, me na procrastinate; Early to school, me nuh have time fi late…,” Shackell sang, as patrons in the stands rose to their feet and sang along.

In the highly anticipated interview category, Shackell, from her biography was asked if she believed that physical education should be optional or mandatory subject at secondary school.

“I do believe that it should be made mandatory. I have always been athletically inclined and I believe that participating in a sport helps you to relax; it helps to take you away from the stress of the schoolwork you have to do. In addition to this, it helps you to develop your self-discipline and helps you to be a well-respected individual,” she responded to thunderous applause.

For her second question, which was general in nature and had to be chosen from a basket, Bobb was asked if she thinks the trend of women who are pursuing careers in various fields affects family life.

Bobb replied: “I believe that women [have] become more advanced. However, I do not believe that the fact that they are taking up leadership positions and taking up different jobs as the men, it does not affect family life, because we are now capable of handling an 8 to 4 job and then going home to our families to nurture our children and instil values into their lifestyles.”

With one crown already secured, George will be hoping to bag another, when she competes at the Miss Carival pageant, slated for July 4, at Victoria Park.

The other contestants: Miss Super 6 Vanika Hope won the Miss Congeniality award, Miss Lotto Jamilla Neverson won the awards for Most Community Spirited and Best Community Support During Road trips.

Miss Imperial Optical Fellisia Baptiste, Miss Metrocint General Insurance Co Ltd Selis Blair, and Miss Bequia Beach Hotel Tatiana Lespierre were the other contestants.

The show also had a line-up of local acts, some of whom were: Rodney Small and his Ultimate band, guest artiste Syxx Krazi, Brian Maloney and Deanna Hadaway, Break Storm Dance Group, Starlift Steel Orchestra, the Avenues Dancers and Shevrell “Candy Man” McMillan with a hilarious skit.(KW)