Miss Heritage delegates rewarded with prizes

The delegates of the 2013 Scotiabank National Ms Heritage pageant went home with big smiles on Saturday, after receiving their prizes for taking part in the event.{{more}}

During a prize-giving ceremony, which was held at the Grenadine House, the beautiful young ladies received a variety of attractive prizes.

This year’s queen, Lateefa Noel of the Girls’ High School, walked away with prizes worth an estimated $9,692.

First runner-up, Miss St Joseph’s Convent Kingstown, Sharikah Rodney, walked away with prizes worth $3,638, while second runner-up Terreka Nero of the Buccament Bay Secondary School earned prizes estimated at $2,649.

Meanwhile, third runner-up Mililone Edwards, of the West St George Secondary School, walked away with prizes totalling $2,424.

In addition to a number of other exciting and enviable prizes, all contestants received I-pads, compliments the Ms Heritage Planning Committee and Sagicor.

Gold sponsors, Stir Media, also presented prizes to the Sweepstakes Winners and the winners of the Bamboo Carpet photo competition.

During the ceremony, headmistress of the host school Andrea Bowman revealed that her dream of hosting a show of higher standards had been realized.

In her remarks, Bowman congratulated the delegates on a job well done.

“You did extremely well. Your performances were outstanding in every way and for those of us who witnessed the preliminary competition, what we saw on the evening on the 19th was a testament to hard work, dedication and I must say, bravery,” she said.

The headmistress commended the seven young ladies on doing well in each category and noted that the preparation and experiences that they have acquired will stand them “in good stead forever”.

Bowman also expressed gratitude to chaperones, parents, schools and sponsors.

“I must pay special attention to Scotiabank. We all know that this show would not have been possible without Scotiabank. The Girls’ High School is just a school. It’s not a business. It’s not a corporation and it’s an extremely expensive show to produce. Without Scotiabank, there would not have been any show. Scotiabank, thank you very much for your enduring confidence in us,” she said.

Chief judge Earl Paynter echoed the sentiments of many persons who attended the Ms Heritage Pageant on October 19, stating that the show was of a very high standard.

Paynter, who has judged pageants both regionally and internationally, declared that it was one of the best pageants he had ever judged.

He gave high praises to the execution of the categories and the timely fashion in which the show had progressed.

“I particularly like the way how the ambassadorial speech was presented. It was unique, different, fresh,” the chief judge said.

“The cultural wear…I saw some innovations there that were just fantastic. I think the national competition should take a little page from that. I think it would be good for local designers”.

In addition, Paynter congratulated the committee and opined that shows of this kind can only be better for St Vincent and the Grenadines on a whole.

At the ceremony, chairperson of the committee La Toya DeRoche-John thanked a long list of sponsors who made the show possible.

Included in the list of sponsors were Scotiabank, National Lotteries Ltd, Digicel, and Stir Media.

During the ceremony, Noel and her mother also signed a two-year contract with Bowman, outlining the tasks and conduct expected of the queen, as she holds the title of Ms Heritage 2013.(BK)