06.JUNE.08

EDITOR: This country’s national beauty pageant in recent years has been no stranger to the perils of controversy. Unfortunately, this year’s show joins the company of old bickering.{{more}}

Before I continue further on this topic, let me first express hearty congratulations to all contestants for a job well done on stage. To Jolene Toney and Nakesha Adams, you both had a wonderful presence on stage, and from the eyes of this critic, you did your best. To the newly crowned Miss SVG Ronnique Delimore, you truly shone on stage. In each category you were consistently good, and I believe that what separated you from your strongest components were intricate details that gave your poise, carriage and overall stage presence, that edge… that stately elegance that cannot be ignored. All the best to you at the Miss Carival show and future undertakings.

Now that I’ve congratulated the bright young women, I can get back to my inspiration for writing this piece- unnecessary and distasteful bickering that results from these shows.

From time to time, it benefits interested persons to examine the origin of controversy and negativism. Given the opportunity to have an inside view of this competition, I was surprised to find that a lot of that negative energy, distasteful remarks, petty gossip and clear discriminatory attitudes culminate from the organizers of the Miss SVG pageant- The Beauty Shows Committee (BSC). Thinking about it, one can begin to understand how controversy develops and that when comments and attitudes are exposed from the pinnacle of any entity we are all likely to succumb.

Speaking of the Beauty Shows Committee, shouldn’t we give those women a break? After all, these women have fallen victim to modern society, the ever-changing world of beauty shows, not to mention the dire need for qualifying experience in this field and the growing demand for diplomacy and professionalism. Can we really expect them to conform to such a society?

With the exception of the well qualified and experienced June Huggins who (as far as my limited knowledge about her achievements goes) has a lot to offer aspiring young ladies in the pageant arena, the others are fast becoming liabilities to an organization that can otherwise hold immeasurable promise.

Speaking on the side of ethics; no contestant should be made to feel unwanted, under-valued and otherwise not supported by committee members. Nor should any contestant be spoken badly of in social gatherings by committee members. It is human nature to have preferences, but it is of moral and ethical importance to remain professional and diplomatic by keeping your preferences and pessimistic attitudes to yourself or at the very least express them in your own personal space.

In the name of human kindness, one can ask that the tyranny and ‘street corner’ manner of the elderly committee members be excused by explaining that they have little control and are set in their ways. However, in no way can we nor should be asked to turn a blind eye or deaf ear.

There are a few new faces in the BSC. However, it is difficult to determine the extent of their impact, given the stronghold of the old and questionably faithful.

It is time to move forward, to form an objective, professional and progressive team that will afford our young women a strictly positive and uplifting experience in our national beauty shows.

I would not be shaken should I learn that the senior members of the BSC will not be offering their support in Ronnique Delimore’s preparation for the Miss Carival show. They have already expressed this sentiment in their uninhibited attitudes.

How can our young people excel when the older and supposedly wiser are suppressing them, stifling their successes and encouraging malice. The old bickerings must stop! I do not wish to seem as though I am scolding small children. Nevertheless, I am responding in accordance with the behaviour I have witnessed – Senior members of the Beauty Shows Committee, you should be ashamed of yourselves!

I will conclude with a message to our young women, specifically this year’s Miss SVG contestants. Young women, know yourselves, know your strengths and your weaknesses. Amplify your strengths and acknowledge and address your weaknesses honestly. No one of you is better than the other. You have performed and did well, all of you in different ways. You were judged on your performances on May 31st, 2008. You all showed differing degrees of what the judges were ultimately looking for, and in the end, one girl amongst you gave it her all, just as you did, and that propelled her to the top. Be proud of yourselves and be proud of your reigning Miss SVG. There are many more successes in life to be had by each of you.

Miss Dellimore, put your best foot forward. Fight like you’ve never fought before to make your fellow Miss SVG contestants proud of the way you represent them, the way you represent us all. You have one year to make all the right choices and to present yourself in such a way as not to have any regrets. At the end of it all, when you turn over your crown to another bright young woman, do so with pride, joy and grace. Be the people’s queen. Best wishes to you Miss St.Vincent and the Grenadines.

Young women, I urge you to see beyond the mistakes of your elders and come together to support each other, ALL OF YOU.

“Never doubt that a small group of people can change the world… indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead.

The Voice of Many