Kalia first showed signs of being a strong contender in the pageant when she was announced in the top 10, along with Dominica, St. Vincent, Jamaica, St. Croix, Antigua, BVI, St. Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago and Anguilla.
Later on as the pageant progressed, the Kittitian beauty, who hails from the small quiet village of Parsons, on St. Kitts, also won the support of the judges who placed her in the top five, along with Antigua, Dominica, St. Lucia and Trinidad. But the anxiety increased as she was also announced in the top three.
Given the relatively new format that has been adopted by the pageant, all points accumulated by the contestants were not factored beyond the stage when the top five were announced. It meant therefore that the contestants, who made it that far, were starting afresh, with an equal chance of capturing the crown. It soon came down to the Interview Segment to determine the overall winner and the new queen for 2012.
In the end it was Dominica, Nadira Lando, who secured the title, followed by Kalia Huggins in First Runner position and St. Lucia, taking the Second Runner up place. Lando also won the prizes for best Modeling and Miss Photogenic.
Though rain affected the start of the pageant, it was not enough to prevent what turned out to be an exciting and highly competitive affair, amongst the 15 countries in contention.
This was the 51st annual Jaycees pageant. The 2011 winner was Iantavian Queeley from St. Kitts and Nevis.
