Miss St. Maarten Wins Caribbean Talented Teen Crown
(ZIZ News) – D’shnay Matthew-York made history Tuesday evening by becoming the first contestant from St. Maarten to win the coveted Haynes Smith Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant.
The announcement at the Sugar Mill was met by thunderous applause from the appreciative crowd.
Matthew-York captured the crown after amassing a total of 783.8 points…just one-tenth of a point ahead of first runner up, Miss St. Kitts Robertine Webbe, who finished with 783.7 points.
The four judged segments were equally shared between Miss St. Maarten and Miss St. Kitts.
D’shnay Matthew-York took the Best Interview and the Best Performing Talent segments while Robertine Webbe won the Theatrical Performance and Best Evening Wear awards.
Speaking to ZIZ News, Matthew-York said she is elated to be the pageant’s first winner from St. Maarten. She said, “It makes me feel very good because I came out here to do my best and represent my country to the best of my ability. Seeing that we haven’t been in this pageant for a very long while and actually coming out here and making a bang it makes me feel wonderful. I didn’t come to only represent myself, I came here to represent my country and I think I did that to the best of my ability hence crowning me queen.”
Meanwhile, Webbe said despite not being declared the overall winner, she was still pleased with her performance. “I feel amazing because I only lost by point one so why not feel happy. I am happy because I did my best and I just want to say thank you to everyone who supported me all the way, thank you. It was an amazing experience getting to meet young, intelligent and talented young ladies. I had a wonderful time,” she said.
The second runner up position went to Miss USVI, Dyese Turnbull while Miss St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Lateefa Noel grabbed the third runner up position.
Tuesday’s show marked the 35th edition of the prestigious Haynes Smith Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant.