Carnival Queen contestants seek sponsorship

The contestants (from left to right): Shanel Dubique, Francille Lavinier, Indiana Griffith, Nadira Lando, Ameka Cognet and Kimberly Jno Charles.

The clock is ticking in the matter of sponsorship for the 2012 Carnival Queen contestants.

The organizers say so far only one participant has been able to secure full sponsorship, with only a few weeks to go before the show, which is carded for February 17.

They are encouraging members of the private sector to support this year’s Carnival Queen contestants.

Francille Lavinier of Picheline, seems to be the luckiest contender so far. She has sealed the support of Bullseye Pharmacy.

Show organizer, Romualda Hyacinth, told a press conference at LIME’s conference room on Wednesday, that five of the six contestants are in search of sponsorship.

“At the end of this press conference I hope the DFC  will get a call,” the Dominica Festival Committee official  stated.

Chairman of the Carnival Development Committee Alwin Bully backed her appeal.

“There is a call going out to the general public especially to corporate citizens, the corporate sector, the private sector to come out to support the carnival queen show,” Bully said, pointing out that partial sponsorship is also being encouraged.

The contestants this year are; Kimberly Jno Charles  of St. Joseph, Fancille Lavinier of Pichelin, sponsored by Bullseye Pharmacy, Nadira Lando of Bataca/Pointe Michel, Ameka Cognet of Elmshall, Indiana Griffith of Goodwill and Shanel Dubique of Petite Soufriere.

The annual queen show is one of the major attractions of Dominica’s carnival.

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76 Comments

  1. pusina
    January 25, 2012

    Well look all those girls have part sponsor how..marva what you do

  2. January 17, 2012

    good luck shanel. i hope you bring good news to our community. if you do we all will be proud of including ur mother and friends. i wish you luck. may god god guide and protect you. GOOD LUCK :-D

  3. Marvo
    January 13, 2012

    where are the girls from the north of Dominica, this is not a Dominica competition this is a southern competition, this show should be represented from all of Dominica, tell me, you all could not find one girl form the north? come on.

    • La
      January 14, 2012

      If u are from the North u should go up..If nobody from the north wants to go up, u can’t force them..ur statement makes no sense..
      I am sure the committee would appreciate contestants from the north..

  4. Pattie
    January 13, 2012

    What is up with the phony accents ladies? None of the ladies lived outside of Dominica yet they have developed weird accents. speaking well and inventing an accent are totally different. Well 2 ladies had phony accents. The others did their thing. Good luck all but I cannot relate to things phony.

  5. January 13, 2012

    RED CLINIC PEOPLE!!!!!!

  6. January 13, 2012

    With all the bickering going around, has anyone come up with a solution? We need to solve this crisis a.s.a.p. Isn’t this a part of our culture? How much would be needed in order to sponsor, or partial sponsor one of the contestants?

  7. jus saying
    January 13, 2012

    maybe if the contestants put on a really good show they would get sponsors, but year after year queen show has become more wack and the girls always seem to embarrass themselves. Do you think if i sponsor a queen i would appreciate it if she embarras’s me n represent me in d worst way ever?…..think about that

  8. k
    January 13, 2012

    by the way yeps…why you doh say why dons and divas doh sponsor somebody i mean she is the fiance of the PM….and why you doh say those Chinese cannot sponsor with all the money they have and still not paying tax in the country. you maybe find they developing the country so leave them well CH employing a set of ppl so leave us. shate man

    • Yeps
      January 13, 2012

      well those are also some good ideas. IF ANYONE IS READING also check dons and divas and Chinese. we have about 6 queens that still need sponsorship so these are great suggestions.

  9. k
    January 13, 2012

    yeps…..clear harbor is an american based company i understand what you mean when you say that they can sponsor but dont get it twisted they have n o obligation too. with over 800 employees and the company spending more than 1 million dollars in taxes a year…then my god maybe social security or inland revenue should sponsor more because they yielding a very huge profit from clear harbor……thank you….by the way CH does sponsor events but more so when their staff is involved because they are interested in staff development and not like you put it working ppl to the bone to make a profit…find out more about the company before you talk…

    • Yeps
      January 13, 2012

      well i am pretty sure i know what the company sponsors. sewo and jams and sometimes when there is a cause( like someone needing medical attention) the employees will do a campaign and raise funds from each other. I know about CH and in no way am i trying to say that they do nothing. i am just saying to show a bit of good will they should invest in something cultural. i think this a good opportunity for good pr.sponsoring a queen would help the company’s image. as i know alot of their employees think that they don’t care. If they take this opportunity it will show some good will and good faith on their part. I know it isnt an obligation at all. i am just saying it would show that there is some real interest in the country/and its development cause we both know that them being in d/ca is not so much because they care as it is that we give them a good financial advantage. (in my nicest tone possible)

  10. Typical Domiican
    January 12, 2012

    :-x
    It disgusts me to see the comments coming from these people. I thought at this point in life people would be a little bit more educated and stop talk rubbish, but apparently we haven’t past that stage.
    To begin with, all those ignorant individuals bent on politics.. for goodness sake leave it out, because election comes evey five years! Damn it, find something more appropriate at this time to make a fuss about!
    Then there are those who don’t know when and how to make certain comments. My mother alwasy taught us if you can’t say something good, keep your mouth shut. But to give the benefit of the doubt, here’s a little advice: positive criticzm is good provided how it’s applied.
    Now, for DFC…. I surely don’t understand why they continually wait so damn long to get these young ladies in gear. It’s all because of your poor organisation that Dominica fail to perform impressively. Other caribbean countries prepare the ladies for months. Why not take the initiative and start with all preparation around independence or even sooner. Take example on Trinidad- as soon as carnival done, they start preparation for the following year. I’m sick & tired of the same song every year from dfc. It’s time to step up to the plate, and use funds wisely.
    Now why didn’t you all give a litlle insight as to what exactly is needed to sponsor a contestant, that way interested persons can come together and do something! :mrgreen:

  11. Brave
    January 12, 2012

    pick up the darn fone make a call,, it is that easy,,,, they are from your village , you know someone that know someone ,,, stop the talk put your money where your mouth is people….,,, trust me if everyone from the US send $50 as support to a girl from their village that will help and that won’t make you any poorer… Represent!!!!!!

    • January 13, 2012

      You can make your point without swearing.
      No one is disputing the fact that something has to be done and quickly, but to get into that type language will not make the ball roll any faster.

  12. T
    January 12, 2012

    Toot all you horns Pee PeePPPPPPPPPPP. RED CLINIC TIME!

  13. ,,,,,,,,,,
    January 12, 2012

    NO money?..That’s a joke man? Go to the PM. All Problem Solved.Some even call him God.

  14. Patriotic Citizen
    January 12, 2012

    Again with the contestants being introduced so late to the public that was expected… Next year when the ladies are introduced AT CREOLE IN THE PARK sponsors should be targeted….

  15. January 12, 2012

    check d rsd clinic

  16. Yeps
    January 12, 2012

    Did you guys try clear harbor? it is time they start showing some interest in our culture and development of our youngsters. giving jobs are Great don’t get me wrong. but make some real investments in our youth and country. spread your roots so that we know it is not just a ‘wrk the people to the bone to make a profit’ but u are genuinely interested in this country and it’s people.

    • hard-working teen
      January 12, 2012

      oh please…clear harbor is not a Dominican company, it’s an america-based company and we actually work with a budget which the big bosses in america provide us with to take care of wages etc….not to sponsor queen contestants. And i dont think an american company would come and spend their money on a queen contestant, whether she’s an employee of CH or not. White people wi…dem people only looking for ways to make more money, not how to spend lavishly on sorry ass queen contestants

      • Yeps
        January 13, 2012

        do you realize that the queen show is actually a scholarship program and one of the rewards is a full scholarship to the college of your choice? so you mean it is absurd for white/American people to be interested in helping a young lady work hard and show that she is the best candidate for a scholarship. We are not even asking them to give over 10000 each semester for 8 semesters. just 1 sponsorship of less than 10000 and in return they get good PR and get to look like they care some more. who knows maybe someday u could get that scholarship and better yourself so u can develop your country and help a younger person go to college themselves. :)

    • peacho
      January 12, 2012

      good idea

    • A_Y
      January 12, 2012

      I think this was a good comment, why the thumbs down?

  17. concern citizen
    January 12, 2012

    time for guys like thompson fountain to step up, you claim to be a true patriotic dominican,sponsor one of does queens.

  18. Nkrumah Kwame
    January 12, 2012

    Are they serious? Dominica has a PERMANENT problem: lack of proper planning. How is it conceivable that at this LATE stage of the process, the Chairman and others of the Carnival Committee are seekin g sponsors? When did they become aware of the carnival dates? It is similar to the Calypso Association looking for a venue to house THIS YEAR’S competition

    What a gross indictement on these people’s INCOMPETENCE!!!!
    Nontheless, how can one sponsor one of these young women? Who is to be contacted and how much is needed? Maybe I can help, seriously!!!

  19. pusina
    January 12, 2012

    To break it down base on inside information on the queenshow, when a contestent is sponsor they still have be pay fees to DFC for the different runs etc. I think too in years past alot of sponsors have question the aspect of that as it relates to miss handling of funds hence still having to pay DFC a certain percentage of funds receive which shouldnt be. If girls are struggling to get sponsors should the fee contracted by DFC be waviered. I’m just saying..

  20. Rasta
    January 12, 2012

    i believe by now DFC should have enough funds to sponsor all these shows……that’s just my opinion!!!!

  21. OK
    January 12, 2012

    Alright most if not all of these girls are employed right…Don’t their bosses have confidence in them…For example Nadira works for digi..she’s a digi-girl so Digi stand behind your girl….Come on D.A…I can sponser 1 but My budget is $7000.00 and someone else could join with me to make it at least 10…who do I speak to?

    • SEWO
      January 12, 2012

      That’s true, If they are employed, why not their bosses sponsor them… that would be a very good start, unless their Boss think they are not fit to be sponsored by them…another thing is if the girls don;’t get sponsors what is DFC going to do… and Why do the women of Dominica keeps going up for these pageants and not getting sponsors…. Shame on the Business places not to sponsor these lovely & beautiful ladies.. If I was in DA I would sponsor one of them…just my 2 cents…

    • ghost
      January 12, 2012

      is their bosses dat send dem and go for queen show? stupes

  22. Papa Way
    January 12, 2012

    Where does one get information/details on individual sponsorship? I’m sure that a few DNO users would happily part/donate a few US$ for such a worthy cultural tradition.
    Is there a website our something? PayPal? JustGive.com?

  23. Small
    January 12, 2012

    i think queen show is on the 17th DNO… not the 12th……. lol.. mama…

  24. Patriotic B
    January 11, 2012

    What does sponsoring a Queen entail? Advertising for sponsorship with such critical information would be nice…

  25. JaJi-Wanah
    January 11, 2012

    sponsoring the calypso show would be much better,them queens are useless.calypso show is the thing for da.no queen show this year.

  26. Michael
    January 11, 2012

    Question1 Does the Queen Show ever make a profit, year after year? Why isn’t the surplus used to sponsor the delegates when they come forward the following year? What happen to the Banks, Supermarket, Courts, Astaphans etc?

  27. forreal
    January 11, 2012

    this does not look good,if your business sponsors a queen contestant,is it not a promotion for your business,is this not the general idea,why are these business people not taking advantage that,to me it only seems logical.

  28. January 11, 2012

    it must be very hard on the contestants a couple weeks to the show and still no sponsor

  29. ROSEAU{FOR REAL}
    January 11, 2012

    IN this time of economic hard ship and the slow movement by our business and cooperate houses I therefore suggest whereas we have 10 parishes lets approach sponsorship in a new way by having people from the various parish pledge towards the Queen contestants wit a view to having the show take place we cannot sit and wait for business and co-operate houses to bail us out. D.F.C pls have an account establish in all our some of our banks where persons can make their contribution to this end. I`m awaiting for that to happen to forward my $$$$$$ as true Dominican.

    • menu
      January 14, 2012

      if u pledge u get to come in free man?lol

  30. %
    January 11, 2012

    No more local businesses. Chinese take over. Go to them for sponsorship.I know one by the name of “SACK WEIGH TEETH” he has a lot of money.

  31. eee
    January 11, 2012

    Just remember Dominica is the poorest Caribbean country. NO MONEY! GWA yeah we Gwa yeah ing.
    Take them to the Red Clinic!

  32. joe
    January 11, 2012

    i taught queen show is the day before calypso show .or is the calypso show the 13th.i am just confused ,i live in new york and planning to come down esp for the calypso show .ticket booked for the 17th.

  33. Inspector
    January 11, 2012

    I would never waste my money on these empty heads!!!

    • koool
      January 14, 2012

      I wish these ladies luck in finding sponsors. It will also be great that they use all their free time to read and listen to news locally, regionally and internationally to educate them on the events occurring globally. Make good use of the dictionaries ladies so you won’t embarrass yourselves by answering a questions; typical question and embarrassing answer:
      Quest – what is your favorite dish?
      Contestant – pyrex dish

      How humiliating!!

  34. I'mWondering
    January 11, 2012

    DNO – please sponsor a contestant.

  35. sugar
    January 11, 2012

    :lol: Well I could say alot..first it’s a shame!I feel badly for the ladies..go ask those chinese taking over all of Roseau they have money.If they so love Dominica why aren’t they taking part in the Dominican culture?

    • peartree
      January 12, 2012

      lol! chinese bringing down everything down to their rice…they will not participate in our culture! well most of them wont

  36. 4progress
    January 11, 2012

    tHERE SHOULD BE A CONTESTANT REPRESENTING EACH PARISH. THAT WOULD SPONSORING MUCH EASIER

    • lover
      January 12, 2012

      whilst that is true…alot of girls from various parishes who want to participate are afraid of this NO sponsorship nonsense

  37. blog
    January 11, 2012

    same story everyyyy year

  38. lee
    January 11, 2012

    I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST OF LUCK GETTING A
    SPONSORS. ITS SOUND A LITTLE LATE SEEKING
    SPONSORS. GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU.

  39. Z.........
    January 11, 2012

    I’m not surprised. Ain’t nothing special there.

  40. is me
    January 11, 2012

    in these hard economic times all u looking for ppl to sponsor queen? stupessssssss eh!

    • Anti Skerrit
      January 11, 2012

      Go to Skerrit na lol not he dat is God now na

      • mama skerrit
        January 12, 2012

        I agree with u he they know as their God so let them surffer
        :oops: :mrgreen: :-| 8)

    • Pre-Med
      January 12, 2012

      I know, right? :lol:
      I’m looking for sponsors for Medical School this fall, where do i sign up for that? (seriously :mrgreen: )

  41. LOL
    January 11, 2012

    The show is is 32 days away and the contestants are still looking for sponsorship….Dominica and its mediorcity!!!!!
    So when/IF they get sponsorship how are they going to have the time to get all that is necessary to have a good quality show???? Instead we spent the entire year bickering about politics these were the issues we should have been resolving!!!!

    • Rabbit Ears
      January 11, 2012

      Again I ask, did they pull the dates for carnival out of a hat on New Year’s Day? Why don’t they start lining up sponsors in October when everybody is in a festive mood.

      All these major logistical issues should have been ironed out by now. They should be putting the final touches on the small issues.

      This is like building a house. The structure should be complete by now. At this late stage, they should be painting the house and doing minor touch-ups.

    • Truth
      January 12, 2012

      So you think that this is more important than our country issues? I do not condone bickering over political issues but think before you write…….

  42. lol
    January 11, 2012

    tell skerrit to sponsor all off them

    • Anti-hate
      January 11, 2012

      ok dat was kinda funny lol

    • rasta4life
      January 11, 2012

      you so right lol lol lol

    • Anti Skerrit
      January 11, 2012

      All them Chinese Putting Thousands of our money in the bank making interest to send oversea ask the damm chinese leave our local struggelers alone eh shate. or go Red Clinic

    • Natasha
      January 12, 2012

      Why the hell the gov’t have to sponsor queen show? after how many years u telling me DFC cannot stand on their own, then i think they should get rid of that show bec where are the profits they been making? I sure if the govt sponsor someone some of ya’ll wasshey pwels going to say why he didn’t use the money to do this or dat, you peeps amaze me…smh

      • well
        January 13, 2012

        i think that d government has a rite to play a part in everything dat is happening in wi country……as dey say ‘TOURISM IS EVERYBODY BUSINESS’ and all these shows attract tourist….so i tHink dat THEY SHOULD PLAY THERE PART….let us enjoy our tax money man stupes…..

  43. .....
    January 11, 2012

    ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

  44. MyQueen-IG
    January 11, 2012

    I listened to each girl speak today and Indiana stood out for me. This girl really impresses me and I think she has what it takes. Not only does she look like a queen but she speaks like one as well. :-D I pray all the girls do get a sponsor as soon as possible. They all sounded very intelligent and I believe this show will surpass our expectations. Those who are able please give. My recommendation to DFC is to ask LIME permission to use some of their air time so persons can call in to pledge to the young women.
    Well Done Indiana, I am 1000000000000000000000000000% behind of you Miss.Griffith. Win or lose you are my queen. Do your best and maintain being positive.

    • Anonymous
      January 11, 2012

      apparently u were not at the pre-show

  45. sigh
    January 11, 2012

    i think u spelled her name wrong. it’s Fancille…or something like that, but not Francine.

    • Hana
      January 11, 2012

      *spelt*

    • ME
      January 11, 2012

      But must be you are the godmother, yet you still not sure how it’s spelt! :mrgreen:
      Don’t pay attention to the petty stuff, rather give ideas as to how she’s able to secure a partial or full sponsor. The spelling of her name is irrelevant at this point!!

  46. Shantal
    January 11, 2012

    Where can you get more information about sponsoring a contestant?

    • Queen
      January 11, 2012

      Call DFC nuh

    • Papa Way
      January 12, 2012

      Yes, where does one get information/details on individual sponsorship? I’m sure that a few DNO users would happily part/donate a few US$ for such a worthy cultural tradition.

      Is there a website our something? PayPal?

      • Larry's Place
        January 12, 2012

        I would definitely like to participate in helping to sponsor one of the contestants. It will be partial. Where and how can I get the information needed? It’s kinda late, but let us see what we can do.

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