Miss LIME answers the call

For Carice Glasgow, just earning the opportunity to compete in the Miss SVG pageant, 2012 was enough to make her happy.{{more}}

However, the 23-year-old Glen resident went beyond just earning the opportunity to compete and won the prestigious title, when she defeated seven other contestants at the first major show of Vincy Mas 2012, at the Victoria Park on Saturday night.

Despite only winning one of the four judged categories, Glasgow gained the judges nod to represent St Vincent and the Grenadines for 2012.

Upon announcement of the winner, Carice broke down in tears of joy as she was embraced by Chairperson of the Beauty Shows Committee Cheryl Rodriguez and the other contestants who joined to congratulate her.

Surprised at being declared Miss SVG 2012, the LIME sponsored Glasgow told SEARCHLIGHT that words could not describe how she felt about the achievement.

“There are no words to describe my feeling.”

“I just knew that I worked really, really hard. I actually started crying backstage before the results were even announced, because I felt a sense of achievement, knowing that I made it through this process.

“I am really proud of myself, because when I heard the categories being announced, I just felt, okay, well the judges didn’t see me fit for these categories, but I still had faith,” the newly crowned queen said.

However, Glasgow’s consistency throughout and her dominance in the Interview category seemed to have propelled her to the top, ahead of Miss Mustique Co. Ltd., Terranza Franklyn, who won three of the four judged categories and placed 1st runner-up overall.

Throughout her performances, Franklyn, 20-years-old and a Cane Grove, Chateaubelair resident, captured the attention of the large crowd gathered at Victoria Park, as patrons were heard shouting her name each time she graced the stage.

Terranza won the Best Evening wear, Best Swimwear and Best Talent titles, in addition to the Miss Photogenic and Miss Community Spirited titles, which carried no points.

“Oh jeeze, she did so well in the other categories, but I guess the interview really threw her off,” one female patron said after the winner was announced.

Miss St Vincent Brewery Ltd, Jovonne John, took the second runner-up position and was also adjudged Miss Congeniality, a category for which there are no points.

The judged appearances for the Saturday’s event were: swimsuit (25 points), talent (20 points), evening gown (25 points), and interview (30 points).

For the interview segment, contestants were each asked one question based on their biography and experience.

In this regard, Glasgow was asked: “You represented the University of the Virgin Islands at the Black College Queen Competition in Atlanta. What exposure did you gain from that event?”

In her response, the newly crowned Miss SVG said, “The National College Alumni Hall of Fame Queens’ Competition in Atlanta is a competition for all black college queens from all 135 HBCUs across the United States of America. By attending this pageant, I was able to make life-long friends with other queens from various states across the United States of America. And it also propelled me, because I had the ability to meet very prominent businessmen and women in Atlanta.”

For the second question, contestants had to select from a box filled with random questions. For Glasgow, her question was: “What advice would you give to persons who use their cell phones while driving?”

Sponsored by telecommunications provider, LIME, a confident Glasgow said:

“I would tell these individuals that this is a very unsafe practice. It is quite common around the world. However, it is one of the leading causes of vehicular accidents. So I think here in St Vincent and the Grenadines – being Miss Lime, I think we need to step in and inform the public about the dangers of driving while using their cell phones.”

The crowd went into an uproar, as patrons cheered for Glasgow, who during the other segments did not seem to be the crowd favourite.

Meanwhile, LIME St Vincent Manager Leslie Jack told SEARCHLIGHT that it was a proud moment for LIME as they have been for years looking forward to a “LIME Miss SVG representative.”

“Overall, the talent exhibited by all the contestants was very good, but we’re just very happy that Miss LIME turned out to be number one,” Jack said.

Held under the theme “A Combination of Passion and Brilliance”, thousands of patrons flocked Carnival City (Victoria Park), to witness the eight beautiful contestants compete to take the crown from last year’s winner, Aviar Charles.

Charles, in her final walk as Miss SVG paraded the stage in an elegant blue fishtail dress as she waved to the huge crowd who in turn responded with shouts of cheer for last year’s queen.

Another highlight at Saturday’s event was a tribute in song to Ingrid Mayers, Miss SVG 1978 and Shanika Small, who had been training for the Miss SVG 2012 pageant, but mysteriously disappeared in September 2011.

Joined by Miss SVG 1999 Kimon Baptiste, Miss SVG/ Carival 2002 LaFerne Fraser, along with 2nd runner up in the Miss SVG 2004 pageant Janelle Allen, the contestants displayed their singing skills as they did the rendition “Missing You” by R&B singer Brandy.

Other guest performances at Saturday night’s pageant included Brother Ebony performing his Best New calypso song for 2012, Armstrong “Strong” Williams with his Best New Soca and Best New Ragga Soca song winner for 2012, Aurella “Queen B” Beache.

However, it was the duet performance by the stinger man Shernelle “Skarpyon” Williams and Orande “Bomani” Charles which had the crowd moving. The two sang a number of their hit songs while the judges deliberated over who would be crowned Miss SVG 2012.

For winning Miss SVG 2012, Carice Glasgow walked away with a University scholarship valued EC $80,000, to pursue studies at the University of the West Indies. She also received a cash prize of $8,000 from the Carnival Development Corporation, a laptop computer from Courts St Vincent Ltd and gifts from various business houses.

The other contestants were Miss Super 6, Jolene Bentick, Miss Lotto, Shanique Browne, Miss Agricultural Input Warehouse, Kendra Homer, Miss Metrocint General Ins. Co. Ltd., Dieta Tucker and Miss Jergens, Aziza Williams.