Development Bank embraces its sponsored Miss National Carnival Queen contestant

Miss Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis Kalia Huggins with Bank’s Chairman of Board of Directors Mr Elvis Newton (left) and General Manager Mr Lenworth Harris (right).

Basseterre St. Kitts (December 14, 2011) — Named Miss Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis on Thursday night December 8 at a colourful sashing ceremony held at the Caribe Café, Sands Complex in Basseterre, 23-year old Ms Kalia Huggins could not wait to meet and get to know her sponsor better.

The elated and confident Ms Huggins got more than she bargained for when on Wednesday December 14 she not only met staff members at the bank, but was lucky to be introduced to some of the Bank’s Board Members, who were holding a board meeting at the Bank’s boardroom.

“I am greatly encouraged by the confidence exuded by our contestant,” said Ms Marva Burroughs, the Bank’s Marketing Manager, who sashed Ms Huggins on the night the six Ms National Carnival Queen Pageant contestants got to know their sponsors. “The fact that she got to meet some of the Bank’s board members tells me that she is destined to go places.”

Ms Burroughs explained that the Bank’s Board normally meets on Saturdays, but due to activities related to the Bank’s 30th Anniversary celebrations, the Board members will on Saturday December 17 be more concerned with the Anniversary and Awards Dinner that will be held at the Carambola Beach Club, and hence the holding of the meeting on Wednesday. When the contestant arrived at the Bank, which is located at the corner of Church and Central Streets in Basseterre, she was met by the Marketing Manager, who introduced her to the General Manager Mr Lenworth Harris.

Development Bank’s Marketing Manager Ms Marva Burroughs (left) with the 2011/12 Miss Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis Kalia Huggins, at the sashing ceremony held at Caribe Café on December 8.

After a brief meeting with the General Manager, the contestant was then introduced to the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr Elvis Newton. She also met Board Deputy Chairperson Ms Rubie Taylor, and Dr Telbert Glasgow of Nevis, who were in the Bank building waiting for the other members, after which she was introduced to all the members of staff.

When Ms Huggins informed the General Manager that she plays netball, he introduced her to Mrs Candace Williams-Godwin, the Bank’s Accounts Manager, whom he called “our netball queen.” “I feel so far I have met everyone, and so far they have been very friendly,” said Ms Huggins after she met staff on all the four floors at the Development Bank Building, and mentioned that they were all supportive and requested her to bring the crown, when the pageant is held on Tuesday December 27. Asked if she would do it, she said: “I will be bringing the crown to Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis this year.”

Last year’s Miss Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis Abigail Liburd placed 1st runner-up, while the year before, Miss Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis Masinda Nisbett placed 2nd runner-up. However, across the Narrows on sister island Nevis, Miss Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis Santonnya Mills brought home the Miss Culture Queen Pageant title during the Culturama Festival this year. Born on October 4, 1988, Ms Kalia Huggins was raised and nurtured in the Village of Parsons.

She attained 8 CXC ‘O’ Level passes during her tenure at the Sandy Point High School, and is a member of the celebrated 2011 OECS Under 23 Netball Championship Team. Currently the head of Sales and Marketing for F.Y.I. on St. Kitts Nevis, she intends to pursue a career in the field of psychology with special focus on children and teens.