Sashed & Ready: Excitement Builds As Delegates Countdown To Coronation Night
All roads led to the stunning Carambola Sunset Deck on Thursday, September 25, where the newest ambassadors-delegates of the Miss Saint Kitts and Nevis Pageant- were formally introduced, setting the stage for an unforgettable journey to the crown.
The event marked an important milestone on the journey to crown the next queen, as the five delegates were formally introduced and proudly sashed before an enthusiastic audience of supporters, family, and well-wishers.
Equally significant was the unveiling of the sponsors, partners who have pledged their support to each of the young women vying for the coveted crown. Their involvement not only underscores the prestige of the pageant but also highlights the strong collaboration between community and corporate stakeholders in empowering and showcasing the nation’s talented young women.
The delegates vying for the coveted crown are:
Liberty Woodley, Miss First Federal Cooperative Credit Union
Alecia Nisbett, Miss St Kitts Urban Development Corporation (UDC)
Taerani Phillip, Miss St Kitts Music Festival
Tresjeur Dedier, Miss Azul Printers
Addel Archibald, Miss Carib Beer St Kitts & Nevis
Minister of Creative Economy, Entertainment, and Entrepreneurship, Hon. Samal Duggins, delivered stirring remarks during the sashing ceremony, underscoring the deep cultural and national value of the Miss St. Kitts and Nevis Queen Pageant.
He reminded the audience that pageants such as this go far beyond beauty and competition. “Events like these are not just beauty markets,” he said. “They are platforms for cultural development and preservation, for building self-esteem and national pride. These young ladies are not just winning crowns, they are becoming ambassadors, symbols of what it means to be Kittitian and Nevisian, representing us on regional and international stages.”
The Minister also praised the pageant’s longevity and its role in nurturing generations of women who continue to inspire others. “Year after year, for over four decades, this pageant has stepped up, producing women who grow into leaders, role models, and cultural icons. Let us not see this only as entertainment, but as a vital part of building who we are as a country,” he stressed.
Duggins concluded with a charge to the contestants: “Ensure that you empower the next generation of young girls. Show them that their voices matter, that their potential is limitless, and that their beauty is not just seen in their faces but in their talents, their intellect, and their contributions to our nation.”
These sentiments were endorsed and echoed by Chair of the St. Kitts and Nevis National Carnival Committee, Ms. Shannon Hawley. She too, highlighted the enduring significance of the Miss St. Kitts and Nevis Queen Pageant to the Federation and to Sugar Mas.
“This ceremony for us is significant as it underscores the importance of the Miss St. Kitts and Nevis Queen Pageant and Sugar Mas to the Federation, as well as it confirms and solidifies the support of our corporate community for St. Kitts and Nevis Carnival, as well as for our ambassadors,” she said.
Hawley reminded attendees that the pageant, now in its 52nd year, is “a joyful celebration of our rich culture and cultural preservation, and most importantly, every year, the pageant molds and empowers young women and provides a vital platform for these young women to cultivate confidence, grace, and leadership through development sessions and social engagements that will serve them for a lifetime.”
This year’s theme, “Droplets of Hope: The Impact of Global Warming on Water,” is especially timely, drawing attention to climate change and its profound effect on water resources. Hawley also noted that the grand coronation on December 23rd will move to the Marriott Event Dome, a change she believes will elevate the pageant’s prestige and provide an even more glamorous and captivating setting for ambassadors, sponsors, and audiences alike.
The delegates now embark on a journey that promises to celebrate culture, intellect, and beauty, while uniting the nation in anticipation of the grand coronation night.
The final showdown is set to take place at the Marriott Resorts event dome on December 23.
Stay tuned to this space for updates on what promises to be an exciting journey to the crown.
