They are Precious Mills, Shalloyda Hewlett, Irvinisia Warner, Mikhalia Lawrence and Zinga Imo.
However, the usual sashing of contestants, indicating their sponsors, was not a feature of the Friday night ceremony. The assignment of sponsors will not be undertaken until sometime this week, said a committee official. During the ceremony, potential sponsors were allowed the opportunity to interact with the contestants as part of their decision-making process to determine which delegate is their preferred choice for sponsorship allocation.
It is understood that this year the committee had great difficulty attracting sponsors, thereby greatly affecting the overall preparations for the pageant.
The five entities that are to be confirmed as sponsors are National Bank, Development Bank, LIME, St. Kitts & Nevis Carnival Committee and Carib, according to the chairperson for the sub-committee responsible for planning the contest.
However, the continued delay in sponsorship allocation and disbursement of required funds continue to be a challenge for some delegates.
Now that we have entered the month of December and already at least one month behind in their preparations, every effort ought to, and no doubt will be made, to expedite arrangements for the disbursement of sponsorship funds to allow contestants to undertake all required event related expenses.
This setback however did not tarnish Friday night’s Reveal Ceremony, not only of the five Queen Pageant delegates, but also the six contestants who are this year representing their high schools in the Talented Teen Competition. Schools fielding contestants this year are Washington Archibald High, Verchilds High, Basseterre High, Saddlers Secondary School, Charles E Mills Secondary School and the Immaculate Conception Catholic School, ICCS.
Addressing the invited guests at the ceremony Friday night were Minister of Culture, Marcella Liburd, Carnival Chairman, Sylvester Anthony, and Queen Pageant Sub-committee Chairperson, Nisharma Rattan. The proceedings were chaired by Miss Unoma Allen. Amongst those invited were sponsors and representatives of media organizations.
The Carnival Queen Pageant has been slated for Thursday 27th December, while the Talented Teen Contest will be held on Saturday 22nd December.
The first public appearance for both sets of contestants will be on Monday 3rd December when they participate in the annual “in the Spirit of Christmas” concert, at the Circus, Basseterre.
Junika Berry is the reigning Talented Teen winner while Miss Kalia Huggins is the current National Carnival Queen.