Digicel Haynes Smith Caribbean Pageant to feature 12 countries and Infamus

ZIZ News…Dec 29 2011 – The 32nd Annual Digicel Haynes Smith Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant this year will feature special guest artiste Infamus out of St. Kitts.

12 countries will be taking part. They are Miss USVI-Bailey Dukes; Miss Anguilla-Keivanee Lake; Miss Antigua & Barbuda-Aaliyah Thomas; Miss Bahamas-Monesha Bowleg; Miss Barbados-Sacha Clarke; Miss Bermuda-Shaunte Simons; Miss BVI-Ashellica Fahie; Miss Grenada-Kande Duncan; Miss Jamaica-Aba Sykes; Miss Nevis-Erica Doras; Miss St. Lucia-Kadijha Mason; and Miss St. Kitts-Siobhan Phipps.

Pageant Director, Antonio Maynard said during a press launch at ZIZ Studios that it was amazing the pageant has reached as far as it has, noting that the only Caribbean pageant that has been around longer than theirs is the Miss Jaycees Caribbean Pageant in Antigua.

“It is the most prestigious in the Caribbean, the experience in St. Kitts and the quality of the show, stands out from any other pageant; it’s really a talent competition, involving ladies that are also intelligent and beautiful,” he said.

Digicel handed over a symbolic cheque to the pageant for EC$40,000 which will be EC$30,000 in cash and EC$10,000 in kind.

Maynard also mentioned that for the first time contestants and their chaperones will be accommodated at the St. Kitts Marriott Hotel, in an effort to raise the standard of the pageant and to give their guests a more wonderful experience while in St.Kitts.

Also, additionally as part of her prize, the winner and her chaperone will receive a seven day cruise compliments Delisle Walwyn and Kantours.

Persons will also be able to text to vote for Miss Photogenic and win a blackberry phone; they can also text to predict the winner and best talent on the night of the show and also win a blackberry. The drawing will be done on night of show.

Maynard revealed that although there are no new countries participating for the first time, Nevis, Bermuda and The Bahamas will be returning after being absent for sometime.

“The principal objective of this prestigious Pageant competition is to showcase Caribbean Culture and promote regional integration among Caribbean Youths, as well as to promote our beautiful Federation as a tourist destination. Many persons come to St.Kitts for carnival because of this event. I would like to also take this opportunity to say thanks to the Minister of Tourism, the Hon: Richard Skerritt for sourcing the funds necessary to host the welcome reception,” the Pageant chairman said.

The pageant will be held this evening Thursday December, 29, at 8:00 o’clock at Carnival Village and will be streamed live via ZIZOnline.com.