Tisha Douglas places second in Miss NY Continental

Nineteen-year-old Tisha Douglas, representing St Vincent and the Grenadines, was the first runner-up in the Miss New York Continental Beauty Pageant,{{more}} held at the School for Human Rights, Wingate Campus, on June 9, in Brooklyn, New York.

It was Douglas’ first outing in a pageant.

Douglas, whose mother is Vincentian, was one of eleven ladies between the ages of 17 and 25 years old who graced the stage in swimwear, evening wear and talent and for an interview segment.

Following the talent, swimwear and evening wear segments, the top five were selected for the interview category.

Douglas, along with Miss Barbados – Jacinta Sargeant, Miss Jamaica – Shade Chambers; Miss Bronx – Elizabeth Miles and Miss New York Elite – Jessica Yearwood made the final cut.

Douglas was asked if she were to choose a role model who would it be and why.

“My cousin, who is an international lawyer; she was always there for me, pushing me, and when I feel I couldn’t do it she let me know I can. And when I look at how far she got it makes me feel I can do it too,” Douglas replied.

Douglas, a second year college student at the School for Human Rights, had to settle for the second spot behind Miss Barbados.

An elated Douglas, the daughter and only child of Barbara Douglas, who is originally from the Central Leeward town of Layou, said she was not surprised at the results, although she is inexperienced in pageants.

In reflecting on her participation in the pageant, Douglas said she thought it was an unforgettable experience, and given a chance again she would enter another.

“When I heard about it, despite I was never in one, I wanted to see what it was like. I enjoyed doing it. It was a good experience” Douglas said.

“It has taught me a lot, like speaking. I have grown, I also like how we all (the participants) helped each other, despite it was a competition,” she added.

Second runner-up was Miss Jamaica, with Miss Bronx third runner-up and Miss New York Elite fourth runner-up.

Held under the theme “Moulding leaders, shaping tomorrow”, the Caribbean American Cultural Group, under the Director Vincentian Yvonne Peters, aims to provide young people in New York City with the opportunity to become actively involved in their community, while having a sense of pride and embracing their cultural values.

Following the show Peters expressed her satisfaction with the overall execution of the pageant.

“It was excellent and of a professional level; it is really stepping up, from when we started three years ago. I feel pleased, I think it’s at the level we want to take it to,” Peters assessed.

Peters promised that the group aims to aim higher for next year’s show.

The winners received scholarships, free internships at radio stations, gift certificates, tickets from SVG Ex-Teachers Association for their annual luncheon and other cash prizes.

The other contestants were Miss Belize – Caryn Ramos, Miss West Africa (Burkina Faso) Ladifatoun Sambare, Miss Brooklyn – Randine Enrique, Miss Trinidad and Tobago – Kaseya Reid, Miss Costa Rica – Kalisha Reid, and Miss East New York – Sequoyah Escobar.