By Lesroy W. Williams Observer Reporter
(Basseterre, St. Kitts)”Regional telecommunications company, Digicel, along with several other sponsors, have pledged their support to the Haynes Smith Miss Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant, which has been a highpoint of St. Kitts Carnival for the past 29 years. At a press conference to launch the 29th Caribbean teen pageant at the Ocean Terrace Inn on December 10, Digicel pledged EC$63,000 to the pageant for the next two years; Winair, the official airline of the pageant, has proffered to the winner of the pageant to be the airline’s spokesperson for 2009. This means that the winner will travel to Winair’s 12 destinations and attend major Winair functions. The airline has also offered the St. Kitts-Nevis representative for this year’s pageant, Che-raina Warner, to be the official spokesperson for the launching of their HIV/ AIDS awareness program, “Equip Yourself, Protect Yourself” which is due to be launched in St. Maarten on Dec 23; SKNVibes, who has been a sponsor for the past four years will host the online voting for the most photogenic contestant. Other sponsors for the show include Carib Breweries, Royal Bank of Canada, WINN FM, St. Kitts Marriott Hotel, Cable TV, National AIDS Secretariat and ZIZ Broadcasting. This year the show will have 11 participating countries: Asha Clarke, 17, Grenada; Alethia Turnbull, 18, BVI; April Gumbs, 17, Anguilla; Alyssa Rose, 16, Bermuda; Anneila Boyce, 15, Trinidad and Tobago; Utieka John, 17, Guyana; Asly Morley, 14, Bahamas; Elle Nielsen, 16, USVI; Che-raina Warner, 16, St. Kitts and Nevis; Sashana Lemard, 15, Jamaica; and Amy Stephen, 15, St. Lucia. Miss Bahamas is a newcomer in this year’s pageant and Ms. Jamaica and Ms. Bermuda are participating in the pageant for the second time. The show will have five segments: A production number, ambassadorial appearance, talent, evening wear and interview segment. Christopher Martin out of Jamaica will be a featured entertainer on the night of the show along with St. Lucian comedian, Mr. Pringle, and other entertainers. The winner of the best talent this year will be awarded $EC 2000.00 while the winner of the show will receive $EC 15,000.00. Chairman and Executive Producer of the Haynes Smith Caribbean Talented Teen Committee, Mr. Antonio Maynard, said that plans for the show were advanced. He said that there are present negotiations to change the venue of the show from Carnival City to the football stadium because over the years numbers attending the show have increased. The Haynes Smith Youth Club, the organizers of the show, have given back to the community this year by contributing a total of EC$4500 to three masquerade groups and also giving to a” cricket league EC$1500, Mr. Maynard said. Parliamentary Representative of the Village area, the Hon. Sam Condor, spoke highly of the show and said that he has been sponsoring the luncheon for the contestants at his house since 1989. “We have seen growth in this show over the years as a result of the imagination, creativity and inclusiveness of the organizers. “While it is a village community-based show, they have been willing to reach out to a number of individuals, groups and organizations to make sure that the show goes on’that shows maturity. Over the years the show has demonstrated pageantry, creativity and artistry like no other show,” he said. The date for the show is Monday December 29 at Warner Park.
