Dream comes true for Charles – Miss SVG 2011

For many young women, the accolade of winning Miss SVG is a much coveted and dreamt-about one. And, indeed, for Aviar Charles – the newly crowned Miss SVG 2011{{more}} – her victory is one dream she does not want to be awoken from!

Months of rigorous training at the gym and coaching in elocution and poise paid off for Charles on Saturday, May 28, 2011, when she was chosen over eight other hopefuls to represent St. Vincent and the Grenadines in beauty pageants for the upcoming year.

Speaking to SEARCHLIGHT, the jubilant 23-year-old said: “It still feels as if I’m dreaming! I guess as time goes along, the reality will set in.”

Charles, who hails from the village of Welcome, said that although it was challenging, she is elated with her win.

“It was hard… it was a bit hectic but… it paid off!”

As well as scooping the top prize, which includes a cash sum and an EC$80,000 university scholarship, Charles also won the Most Community Spirited and Best Interview awards.

For her talent segment, Charles sang ‘Woman’s Enemy’ – a calypso about women being their own and one another’s worst enemy. In her Evening Gown appearance, she donned a revealing bronze-coloured creation (‘Nature’s Fury’) that flattered her skin tone; and was designed and made by Ann Roche and Volita Tucker.

During her interview, Charles competently answered questions about the more exciting aspects of her post as junior reporter at the Agency for Public Information, and her favourite Vincentian cultural event.

When she was announced the winner, Charles tried her best to blink back tears of joy. But the flood gates opened when her mother and brother came on stage to congratulate her.

Charles confided that the moment overwhelmed her, because she was not able to afford going to university on her own. Winning this competition has presented her with an opportunity that she may never have had otherwise.

“Honestly, this scholarship means the world to me,” she said.

Although confident going into the competition, Charles admitted that, on the night of the show, doubt started creeping in.

“I was a bit worried because I wasn’t sure how I was doing.”

However, she refused to let it take hold.

“I kept saying [to myself] I’ve got to bring it, because, as they always say, consistency is what wins a pageant.”

One down-side to taking part in this pageant was the negative reactions she received from some female members of the public. However, Charles did not let that deter her.

“Sometimes you reach somewhere in life and there is always another woman who is going to… try to pull you down,” she said.

“It’s ridiculous, because we’re in a time where we are supposed to be campaigning for each other instead of trampling on each other.”

With that in mind, Charles was full of nothing but praise for her fellow contestants, and mentioned that they are planning to have a sleep-over next weekend.

She also thanked everyone who has assisted her along the way – especially her chaperone Annette Francois, Rochelle Ollivierre and her parents Errol and Andina Charles.

Despite this triumph, Charles has no intention of resting on her laurels, and is ready to begin her training for the upcoming Miss Carival competition, on Friday, July 1; promising a “100 per cent better” performance.

“You can expect a lot from me for Miss Carival. Miss SVG 2011 is not just a name for me – it’s something more,” she said.

“I have a lot of work that I plan to do. We have to keep the crown home this year!”