Union Island lass breaks Miss Easterval’s 6-year drought

Union Island’s drought in crowning one of their own as Miss Easterval ended on April 20, thanks to 20-year-old Phillis Dember.{{more}}

“It feels great winning the crown, because we have not won it in a long time,” Dember told reporters shortly after her win, at the Ashton hard court.

The last time a local won the Miss Easterval pageant was in 2008.

On her way to the crown, Dember beat out six other contestants, including second runner-up Tiffany Goodridge of Barbados, who won the best swimwear category and Miss St Lucia, Raquel John, who had to settle for the first runner-up spot.

John also took home the prizes for best cultural wear and Miss photogenic.

The deafening screams as Dember’s name was announced as the winner drowned out the amplified music, as supporters of the young queen gathered stage side to greet her and take photographs of her.

Certainly a crowd favourite, Dember also won the best talent and evening wear categories.

In her talent, Dember, who appeared in the third position, came on stage clad in a torn, white gown, sporting a black eye.

She spoke on the issue of being in abusive relationships and warned women to get out and do something positive with their lives.

Dember had the crowd going when she belted out a well executed rendition of Lornette “Fya Empress” Nedd’s “I am woman.”

The oohs and ahhs grew louder when Dember lit up the stage in a dress designed by Vincentian fashion designer Kimon Baptiste.

The dress, which paid tribute to “mother earth,” snugly hugged Dember’s slender frame and opened into a flare just below her thighs.

To top it off, her well done make-up was complemented by shiny, eye-catching earrings and the broad smile she wore.

Dember, who promised patrons a great show in her introductory speech, said she knew she would have won the contest.

“… Because I know once I did what I am supposed to do and do it well, I could overcome any obstacle and gain success,” she added.

Dember, who placed second runner-up in Miss Rural SVG 2013, disclosed she has no plans of entering any other pageants in the near future

Miss Trinidad, Curlissa Charles, won the best interview segment.

The other contestants were: Miss Canouan, Melicia Antoine and Miss Grenada, Renisha Wells.

The Garifuna Dancers and soca artiste Skarpyon provided the entertainment on the night, as part of the Easterval festivities.

Easterval started some 48 years ago. (KW)