This was only the second pageant that she has taken part in, but that did not stop Miss St Lucia Roxanne Didier-Nicholas from taking the Miss Carival 2012 crown, at the competition held last Friday.{{more}}

Didier-Nicholas fended off stiff competition from nine other contestants to take the crown back to her home country for the second time in the history of this pageant.

The 20-year-old said that although she was nervous throughout the competition, she did not allow her enthusiasm to wane.

“I didn’t underestimate any of the other girls,” she said. “I think I was very consistent in all my categories, even though I only won one. I maintained my spirit, which allowed me to remain on top.”

Didier-Nicholas said that she is “proud” of herself, and extremely happy that she snagged Best Talent with a graceful solo dance performance – a fusion of ballet and modern dance.

“That was a personal goal that I set for myself… apparently I executed it well enough to win,” she pointed out.

Didier-Nicholas, who is currently a student at the University of the West Indies (St Augustine campus), said that she is now looking forward to taking part in the Jaycees Caribbean Queen Pageant in early August.

She also revealed that she has ambitions of entering the Miss World or the Miss Universe pageant.

“My coordinating team will advise me on that!”

First runner-up went to Miss St Vincent and the Grenadines Carice Glasgow, who also won Best Swimwear.

Glasgow said that she was pleased to have placed so highly as she was battling with a bout of influenza on the night of the competition.

“I’m happy that I was able to even come out on stage and perform… I tried to push through as much as possible and just give the best that I could,” she said.

Glasgow acknowledged that she received a lot of negative criticism after winning Miss SVG 2012, and said that she felt it would continue regardless of having placed highly.

“That’s perfectly fine… I did my best. The judges’ result is final… I’m very proud of myself,” she added.

Second runner-up was awarded to Miss Trinidad and Tobago Davia Chambers, who also walked away with Best Interview.

Best Evening Wear was won by Miss St Kitts and Nevis Kalia Huggins, for her dazzling red and gold dress titled ‘Caribbean Inferno’, while Miss Barbados Charlene Christmas was awarded Miss Photogenic.

Miss Congeniality and Most Community Spirited were awarded to Miss Venezuela Astrid Andreina Hidalgo Martinez and Miss Anguilla Olufunmike Banks-Devonish, respectively.

Along with gifts from various business places, the winner won US$4,300, first runner up won US$1,300 and second runner-up won US$700.(JV)