9 beauties: 1 title, 1 crown. Who will it be?

The nine beautiful women vying for the coveted title of Miss SVG 2011 have made their intentions clear.{{more}} Each contestant is doing all in her power to be crowned queen on the night of May 28 at Carnival City, Victoria Park

With less than two weeks to fine tune their various talents and the chance to grab an $80,000 scholarship, the young women had the opportunity to hone their interviewing skills on Saturday, May 14, in an interactive session with the media.

Stylishly clad in colourful dresses, complemented by bright smiles and well done make-up, the Young Island Resort was used as the backdrop for more than three hours of questions and answers, and photo ops during which each contestant communicated that she is ready.

In speaking with the contestants, each was blunt as to why she chose to enter the show.

The $80,000 university scholarship for Miss Lotto, Aviar Charles, and Ladisha Ballantyne, Miss Agricultural Input Warehouse, they see it as an opportunity to fully realise their dreams of careers in the media. Aviar, who currently holds the post of Junior Clerk at the Agency for Public Information (API), says she wants to pursue studies in communications management. The soft-spoken beauty who will be gracing the stage for the first time ever has assured Vincentians that they will captivated when she takes the stage. As for her co-worker Ladisha, who is eyeing a career in media and communication, she says the show has afforded her the opportunity to be a role model to other young women throughout the country.

Hoping to duplicate what her sister did back in 1999, Shemon Baptiste, Miss Mustique Company Ltd, says she has gained a wealth of advice from her big sister Kimon Baptiste.

“Not because Kimon won back in 1999 makes it easier for me. I have to work just as hard as the other contestants,” she said.

Both Rickesha Douglas, Miss Caribbean Medical Imaging Center, and Jamie Delpesche, Miss Super 6, have already realised one part of their dream, which is being a contestant in the prestigious show. A future Chef or Cosmetologist, Rickesha stated that she will be hoping to make the city of Layou proud very soon.

Based in Montreal, Canada, Delpesche, who hopes to become a nurse, is confident that all her preparations since January will definitely reflect in what she has to offer on May 28.

Buoyed from being a chaperon to her sister in the Miss SVG Teen, Miss Jergens, Sheridan Haynes’ passion for pageantry has always been keen, having entered several pageants in the past. For Miss LIME, Shenika Bascombe, she took the time to urge persons desirous of entering the show next year to be focused on what they want.

“You have to be physically and mentally prepared…Once you enter this show, you are a target for constant criticism from the public,” she said.

Kenlyn Fisher, Miss Metrocint General Insurance Company Ltd, and Shekeira Cottle, Miss Vita Malt, perhaps the two contestants of the fewest words, are also hopeful that they will be crowned Miss SVG 2011.

Despite the many late nights and early morning preparations, all the young women are grateful for the experience, and to have met each other. They believe that the training has aided each of them in their personal development, and they encourage other young women to sign up for this life-changing experience.

The contestants admitted that they still have some work to do before pageant night, but promise that they will be giving their best in every area, and guarantee wonderful performances on the night of the show.

It is the hope of Vincentians that the intelligence and enthusiasm displayed to the media by the contestants would be replicated come May 28.