BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, December 30, 2018 (PLP PR Media Inc.) — Team Unity’s Caretaker for Constituency Number Three (West Basseterre), Senator the Hon Akilah Byron-Nisbett on Saturday evening December 29 at the Palm Court Gardens in Fortlands, Basseterre, paid homage to contestants in the 39th edition of the annual Haynes Smith Miss Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant.
“Tonight it was my absolute pleasure to host the contestants participating in the 39th Annual Haynes Smith Miss Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant,” said Senator Byron-Nisbett, who is herself a former chairperson of the pageant.
The show will be held tonight (Sunday December 30) at the St. Kitts Marriott’s Grand Ballroom with nine contestants taking part. These are Sherona McAlmont – Antigua and Barbuda; Anya Seetahal – St. Kitts; Sidondre Flemming – Nevis; Anastasia Salickram – Trinidad and Tobago; Keshaundia Quinn – US Virgin Islands; Charisma Jones-Chin – Anguilla; Francine Mason – St. Lucia; Jorjanna Albert – Dominica; and Cherece Richards – Barbados.
While the reigning Haynes Smith Miss Caribbean Talented Teen Queen, Ms Tasyanna Clifton, is from French St. Martin, the territory does not have a contestant this time around.
“This pageant is dear to me as I have worked with the pageant for over twenty years,” said the Hon Akilah Byron-Nisbett who is also the Deputy Political Leader of the Peoples Labour Party (PLP). “I started first as an escort for the VIP guests, making up my way to judges coordinator, then contestants and activities coordinator before finally becoming the third chairperson.”
She also paid homage to past organisers of the pageant, having invited one of the founding members and the first chairman of the pageant, Mr Donly Greaux. Others present were the second chairman, who is now the pageant’s Executive Producer Mr Antonio Maynard, and the current Chairman, Mr Lawson Archibald.
According to Senator Byron-Nisbett, the pageant started out as a community event at the Village and she hailed the young men who had the vision to add a regional event which has now become international to the local carnival. It has risen to be the show it is today and has attracted a name like Ms Patrice Roberts of Trinidad who is a past contestant, and soca artiste Mr Machel Montano whose performance at the event was one of his first outside his native Trinidad.
“I can only imagine what we would be able to witness tomorrow (Sunday December 30) because each year the contestants are of very high standards – the talents are amazing,” observed Senator Byron-Nisbett. “These young girls always bring a lot of great talent to this pageant and so I am definitely looking forward to seeing what they have been working hard and preparing for over the past few months as they prepare for this huge event.”
All the contestants were accompanied by their chaperones. Among those present at the dinner included Mr MJ Byron, the pageant’s PRO and Assistant Executive Producer, Mr Victor Earle who is the Peoples Labour Party (PLP)’s National Treasurer, Mr Alexis Nisbett, PLP’s National Organiser, Mr Damien Weekes, PLP’s Youth Arm Representative, Ms Claudette Thompson, PLP’s Assistant National Treasurer, and members of the PLP Constituency Number Three Branch Executive.