Miss SVG Teen is this Saturday

THE MISS STVINCENT ANDTHE GRENADINES (SVG) Teen Pageant is an opportunity for the public to throw their support behind nine young ladies and help encourage them to be their best.

Pageant coordinator, Angenella Young made this point as she spoke about the pageant in which nine contestants will compete for the Miss Teen title on Saturday, August 10, beginning at 7 p.m. at the La Vue Hotel and Beach Club,Villa.

“This is the pageant for the youths, where it all begins, and we need to support them and cheer them on as they are who will represent in the future,” Young told SEARCHLIGHT on Wednesday.

Competing in the pageant will be Schuyler Francois, D’Shanti Francis, Shemora Cuffy, Milan Compton, Antonicia Haynes, Ronela Richards, Tinekah Anthony, Louanya Billingy and Lori Welsh. The young ladies are in the 15 to 19 years age group.

“As one of the agencies that supports creative and talented young ladies, we want to nurture these girls as we realise they are the future, and we want the support of the public in doing this,” Young commented.

She said the pageant is about pushing and encouraging the young ladies and not about what they can gain financially.

“So, this is the opportunity to come out and support the girls. It is a wholesome show and not about the young ladies exposing themselves or anything like that. It has a focus on sustainable tourism.”

The contestants will compete in four categories: promotional speech (four minutes on sustainable tourism); to perform a talent; to display prom wear; and for an interview.

“It’s going to be a great show. The young ladies are prepared, their self-esteem is high, self confidence is high and they are ready for the show.

“This pageant’s purpose is to provide a pool of young ladies that can represent the country in the future and this is where all the hard work begins for the Miss SVG pageant,” Young said.

She pointed out that at times up to three Miss SVG Teen competitors have gone on to compete in the national pageant at the same time.

The Miss SVG Teen pageant has been held since 2008, but there was a five-year hiatus. Last year Abigail Ross took home the crown.

The pageant is focusing on sustainable tourism this year.

Young noted that the pageant is lacking the support of the business community and commended such companies as the East Caribbean Group of Companies (ECGC); Oxygen Mas; Tropical Realism; J’oche Moments; and FLOW for their support over the years.