Lystra Burgin wins Miss St George pageant

Even before she was announced winner of the first Miss St George pageant, tears flowed freely from Lystra Burgin’s eyes.{{more}}

The 17-year-old, who represented the community of Belair, was crowned queen on Saturday, June 8, at Tito’s Restaurant and Bar in Arnos Vale, on the first occasion that East and West St George have come together to have Carnival.

Burgin, a first year information technology student of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College, Division of Arts and General Studies, won the best talent and best evening wear categories.

The crowd went wild when she was announced winner, and her mother, who also cried openly, used a piece of tissue to wipe the tears from her face, as well as her daughter’s.

Shortly after being crowned, Burgin said “I feel overwhelmed. I can’t even explain.”

For her talent, Burgin, with a very polished voice, performed a song from Jamaican artiste Alaine, called “You are me”.

She said she chose the song because “we need to treat others like how we treat ourselves,” the queen said.

Burgin had also entered the 2011 Miss Heritage pageant as a student of the West St George Secondary School, but failed to place. In that pageant, however, she received the community spirited award.

The talented teen says she hopes to enter the Miss SVG pageant in 2015, and thanked her sponsors, Tito’s Restaurant and Bar, her family, and all who supported her along the way.

Miss Choppins, Sasha Joseph, a first year hospitality student of the Division of Technical and Vocational Education of the SVGCC, took the first runner-up spot and also walked away with the best swimwear award.

Second runner-up was Miss Dauphine, Ashaka Woods, a student of the St Joseph’s Convent Kingstown. Woods also won the best interview category and was awarded Miss Congeniality.

The other contestants were: Miss Ashburton, Shanta Ellis, a fifth form science student of the Emmanuel High School Mesopotamia; Shannon Morgan, Ms Glen, a student of the Bishop’s College Kingstown; and Miss Diamond, Mya Fraser, a final year, small business management student of the Division of Technical and Vocational Education of the SVGCC.

The La Gracia dance group, as always, gave a worthy performance as part of the night’s entertainment package.

Competitions for the calypso and soca monarch also took place at the show.

Brief remarks came from Foster Hannibal, chairman of the St George Rural Carnival Committee and government senator Elvis Charles.

Following the show, patrons from the surrounding areas gathered on the main road to take part in the J’Ouvert celebrations. (KW)