Dominica takes Miss Carival again

Twenty two-year-old Leandra Lander has ensured that the Miss Carival crown remains in the “Nature Isle” of Dominica for yet another year. The Caribbean beauty beat out seven other contestants in the regional pageant last Friday, July 6th.{{more}}

The High School teacher was like a true professor as she held the audience’s attention at Victoria Park as if class was in session, and won them over in her introductory speech by hooting like an owl, which is the latest craze from the 2007 Road March hit Party Animal.

Showing poise and an excellent physique in the swim wear category, Lander scored high points and got “Ohhs and Ahhs” from the audience when she took off her shawl to reveal her stunning red and black Indian inspired beaded strapless gown.



The Dominican native also won the Most Community Spirited award and answered both questions comfortably during the interview, proving that she has brains as well as beauty.

Speaking with Searchlight after the crowing, the elated Lander expressed thanks particularly to the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines and Dominica and also her fellow contestants for their friendship. She described the Miss Carival pageant as the perfect example of Caribbean integration and said that this was something she hoped to contribute to during her reign.

She said, “It is a blessing to be crowned Miss Carival and I’m so happy. The ladies and I promise to stay in contact with each other and we now have a friend we can call on whenever we visit each other’s island. What St Vincent and the Grenadines is doing is excellent for Caribbean unity and I wish the CDC continued success.”

Lander said that she enjoyed the talent segment most and thanked her talent co-coordinator for the assistance. She also pointed out that as the new queen of Carival she would also wish to continue to promote leadership skills among young women, since she believed too many of them lacked the confidence to reach their potential.



First runner up, 20-year-old Miss St Kitts and Nevis – Tesia Burton (right) did her home country proud by capturing Best Swim wear with her curvaceous figure in an aqua blue bathing suit, and pleasantly surprised everyone when she turned to reveal the islands of the Caribbean painted on her back. Burton, whose father is from St Vincent and the Grenadines seemed right at home as she sang her way into the hearts of the audience and won the Best Talent with a cleverly composed calypso.

The song had as its subject a pesky taxi driver who was telling Burton about the party politics in the country, but her refrain was that she was here to win the crown. The Kittian also copped the Best Evening wear title for her well fitted baby blue gown.



Miss St Vincent and the Grenadines Melissa Yorke (left) did not bring home the title but the 23-year-old gave an excellent performance in the keenly contested pageant and took the 2nd runner up spot.

The other contestants were the well spoken Miss Anguilla – Amber Woodley who took Best Interview award, the breath-taking Miss Venezuela – Ariana Rodriguez who was awarded Miss Photogenic, the amicable Miss Dominican Republic – Maria Lopez who got the Congeniality award, Miss Antigua – Jamila Gregory and Miss Barbados – Mariele Chetem Onyeche.