Newly crowned Carnival Princess, ten-year-old Selena Cuffy of the Convent
Preparatory School, has advised young girls who may wish to compete in national pageants to reach for the stars.
Following her victory at yesterday’s event, Cuffy encouraged other young girls to have the courage to showcase their talent and do their best in order to achieve their dreams.
“Don’t be afraid to come out. Just do your best and have fun,” she said in an interview with Dominica News Online.
The Domlec-sponsored contestant told DNO that she was very excited to realize her lifelong dream of being Carnival Princess.
She thanked God and all the people who helped her along the way. She was chaperoned by her mother Tina Cuffy and Helena Dangleben.
Cuffy copped the awards for the Best in Party Dress, Best Talent and Miss Intelligent.
Meanwhile, Shakira Bramble of the Grand Bay Primary School emerged first runner up whilst Shania Morancie of the Dublanc Primary School won the second runner up position.
Morancie also got the Best in Costume and Miss Photogenic awards. Bramble received the award for Best Costume while Makayla Raffoul, of the Roseau Primary School, won the Miss Congeniality award.
Among the prizes received by the new Carnival Queen was a ticket for two to Guadeloupe, Martinique or St. Lucia compliments L’express Des’ Isles and $300 which will go into a bank account of her choice.
The first runner up received $100 which will also go towards a bank account of her choice among other gifts from sponsors. The second runner up will receive $50 which will also go towards a bank account of her choice.
Each contestant received participation awards. The other participants were Shanice Carina Moses (St. Martin Primary School),Totiyana Baron (Savanne Paille Primary), Ebony Lindsay (Pioneer Preparatory School), Deanne Hunter (Dos Dane Primary School).
ALLU WILL LEAVE SELENA ALONE JUST BECAUSE GRANDBAY DO WIN. ALLU WANT TO BE PASSING YOUR STRESS ON SELENA CUFFY SHE’S MY GIRL SO EVERYBODY JUST BETTER BACK OFF. HATERZ KEEP TALKING BCUZ I AM LISTENING
@Elhannah Alexis:
The costume was the only which referred to you. The Speech and everything else refers to Miss Bramble. Hun I had no problem with you and your win. I was simply saying that the costume used by the contestant from Grandbay was VERY similar to what you wore when you were a queen contestant. The speech i refer to was that which miss Bramble gave
Congrats to the little princess…..and all those who took part in the pageants this year. It takes great courage to face the public, especially the Dominican public, and everyone who has the courage to brave it out deserves big Kudos, whether they emerge winners or not.
To Lady:
“They did some fixing up but Carnival Queen 2004 Elhannah Alexis had one similar. (Pic on this link: http://www.avirtualdominica.com/carnival04/winners.htm) Her speech was great and her expression better but she certainly did not write it. She crammed very well what someone wrote for her with a quote from MR RICE) I must commend her on being one of the most confident young ladies I have ever seen.”
For your information, I wrote my speech myself. I can’t take credit for the quote, but it was all me. Thanks for the compliment and I appreciate it, but why does it seem like I could not have written that speech. Many people were impressed by it and I deserve to enjoy my credits. I was always an excellent student throughout school and writing is one of my natural talents.,. So i do not appreciate you coming here and making this false accusation with so much confidence like what you are saying is the truth. The site seemed to have edited your post so i do not get the entire idea of what viewpoint you have about my winning the crown, and i wont even bother with it. But i just want to clear that up because I DID write my speech so please don’t rain on my parade. there REALLY are intelligent young women in Dominica.
lol, allu still on that Miss Dominica thing, bojya, that pass, a year pass wi, who win they win. ANY WAY I was not at the Princess show but from what i heard Selena was tremendous and she performed wonderfully. Its not because of the school or her background or how she looks, any one can agree that she did her best. I also heard grandbay did an amazing job, but remeber the judges know what they are looking for and it was by l1.5 points that shows that they both performed outstanding!!!
Its all well and good to give your comments on the prizes offered to the contestants but what you may not have heard or seen are the other additional prizes and gift certificates they were presented with. The organisers of the show is the Rotaract Club of Roseau and I must say they did a remarkable job because organising such events is never an easy task. Some of you critiques need to come around next year and assist the organisers because the show for one does not make money ( from inside sources) it cost in the region of $20,000.00 to en sure that the pageant is staged every year. The people involved in the organising are young men and women between the ages of 18 to 30 who may have just began a job and just want to give back to their community.
If the private sector is not as forth coming as they are expected to be then what do you want these young people who spend sleepless nights for no pay to do? It cost EC$1,800.00 to sponsor a child and even that difficult to find when the queens request $12,000 and they get sponsoship and mark you the princesses put on a much better show than the queen contestants ( thats my opinion i have been following this show for the last ten years).
So my dear people it takes alot to get the girls to be on stage, their courage and bravery is admired and the hard work of Rotaract shoud be complimented. Hats of to you Zilma and Lucille I know you all worked hard.
Lady I totally agree with you about the dress. People must learn to realize that’s this pageant is for children and not adults and as such they should be dressed appropriately. I
As a young person I am apalled by the level of conversation here. Some of you folks are too BIASED. My daughter attends the St. Martin Primary School so obviously I went to the show to support my daughter’s school however after seeing the representation given by the student I knew immediately that she would not have placed.
The crown was definately between Shakira and Selena however Selena outdid Shakira because of her talent ,her fluency when speaking and her grace. This child was CONSISTENT in ALL ROUNDS.
That child was absolutely stunning. Not because of her skin color but because she performed her talent from her heart. Any reasonable thinking Dominican who attended the show can attest to that. Shakira on the other hand was excellent in her speech as well however she lost points because she was off key when she sang her calyspoes. Notheless she was good but Selena was better and desreved to win.
You people are too biased man.Well done Selena I don’t you personally but I am very impressed with your level of conversation and you have some great dancing skills. You go girl.
Selena Cuffy certainly did not deserve the carnival princess title, that was Shakira Bramble’s crown. You all never give people from Grand Bay what’s rightfully there’s but don’t worry, one day we from Grand Bay will rise as a phoenix. Shakira is the 2010 princess but allu give it to convent. Convent alone that is school, give them everything. One day this injustice in Dominica will cease.
congratulations to selena but Shakira did deserve to win. I wonder how selena beat shakira by 1.5 points. a bit suspicious. They were afraid to give it to Grand Bay because it would be 4 crowns in a row 2 princess and 2 timatadors. We must give due where it is due.
respect dem cuffy’s … allu think they easy… 2010.. is selena cuffy year… nuff respect 2 r.a.d.e,, her brother my dogg self form college
selena.. rock on.. grandbay full of**… u where the bomb………. hold dem.. in 2010……..from pano,, track.,, burbs,,, ratty… boys from lil havana……,,,party.. on saturday… at tina’s corner… let it go.. in 2010.selenaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa cuffffffffffffffffffyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy…
Selena you did well. YOU DESERVED IT.
GrandBay was good. She certainly lost points in talent as she was off key. These are children people why did Shakira have all that eye shadow for her party dress and the CHANDELIER earrings.
While her costume was judged the best ( THE JUDGES DECISION IS FINAL)… They did some fixing up but Carnival Queen 2004 Elhannah Alexis had one similar. (Pic on this link: http://www.avirtualdominica.com/carnival04/winners.htm) Her speech was great and her expression better but she certainly did not write it. She crammed very well what someone wrote for her with a quote from MR RICE) I must commend her on being one of the most confident young ladies I have ever seen.
No body could touch Selena in talent, and besides that she represented a Primary school student.
So lets stop it with who should have won. Selena won and all de haters comments cannot change the results.
To those at home listening on the radio next time come to the show. hearing is one thing seeing is something else.
..you really have a guts to come on there and talk that mess out ur behind whosssssss.. donate and where the money going u all always crying broke lord help those wavets. anyways that why is TNT i giving my support to i will be playing mass with tribes on carnival monday and tuesday in TNT.. Me i done making contributions to a wasteful end product..
Queenbee a ornament alone u get. whosssssssss. pusss.. u a mess. lol
and one more thing….. out of eight girls they should have placed one more
GOOD JOB selena but i still think Grand bay should have won…. and i still find dey get good gifts cuz wen i went up for princess i placed second and got an ornament….. Next step for u is the teen pageant in a few years….. ROCK ON……. and to shakira….. use this show as a steppin stone…..
Congratulations selena!!
To ‘DANA’….FYI i am a member of the Rotaract club, the organizers of this show and we did NOT give the 3rd place winner just $50…..the $50 was giving to the child to start up a savings account as a way of encouraging her to save in any bank of her choice among other prizes…so get your facts straight before you come and run mouth…if you have or wanna make a contribution towards better prizes next year then my dear your donations/ sponsorship are more than welcome….
Princess your sis is very proud of u. u did the best that u could and guess what u brought it!!!!!!!!!! you are and will always be my princess. To the other kids Congrats you guys did ur utmost best. AND TO THE HATERS THE JUDGES DECISION IS FINAL WE DID NOT PAY ANY BODY NOR DO WE KNOW ANY ONE OF THEM PERSONALLY. IT WAS FAIR AND SQUARE. SUCK IT UP!!!!!
grand bay primary school deserve the crown.but dont worry the judges contience will beat them.when sum1 deserves sumfin they suppose to get it and that show was not jugded properly .if i were the head of the grand bay primary school i wiould not let my students go up for any show.SHAKIRA IS OUR 2010 PRINCESS.
congratulations to selena cuffy of the convent prepetory school . i am very proud of you. I love the way you spoke in that interview very fluent. brilliant performace . to all the other contestant ,congraulations to the other the contestants who placed.
although i did not listen to the show from what i heard selena cuffy did an excellent job and i want to congratulate her.Also i want to congratulate all the other contestant in my eyes they are all princess.
Just abit disturbed at the prizes being offered to the runner ups. Giving a child $50 in 2010 as a prize for placing no. 3 is an insult if you ask me. I know that better can be done, they need to do better and I truly hope that their conscience speaks to them when they are handing over these lousy prizes to the kids. This is no way of showing appreciation or encouraging young people to come out and participate in these competitions.
Whoever the organizers are DFC/Rotary club…please step it up….
Congratulations to all the little ladies.
@ Grandbay: I agree with you 100%. I expressed utter disgust at Miss Dominica’s interview, which to my mind bordered on vulgarity! People wanted to make excuse and say it was because she was excited – but I totally disagreed. Hooray that someone else saw through my eyes. Hopefully the experience of being Miss Dominica has helped Ms. Toussaint in that regard. {P.S. I do not know the young lady personally; so, it’s nothing personal – just making my observation}
@ ShutUp&Pay: You made some very valid points. Pretty soon these little princesses will enter High School. Therefore, I find the Princess’ prize should include a scholarship to High School – that to me is much more tangible, especially since nowadays books etc. are so expensive. Then again, she was sponsored by Domlec, so who knows – maybe Domlec already took that into consideration. Still for all though, Carnival is a national event so the scholarship idea is something the Ministry of Edcuation can sponsor.
Congrats to miss Cuffy. I believe all the girl did well. They were all intelligent .
I really want to congratulate all the princesses and would like to stress on a very important point.I don’t think that a trip to guadeloupe,martin…or st lucia and 300EC shows respect for the talent of these beautiful children we are in 2010 and I think that’s an insult! For too long in dominica the youth has been showcasing their talent and for what? A lousy trip and 300EC! It’s a shame bloody shame!no wonder most kids don’t follow through with their talent’s! And if u ask the big guns why the winners and the runner ups don’t get healthy prize packages u will hear the samething as those festival organizers…ah it cost too much for a show like that….ah financial constraints….ah sponsorship ***……….ah lie them a tell! These shows have been going on for years and they want us to beleive they have no savings if my child should go up for a show so and win as they put the crown on her head all on stage the first person to interview her have to pay and everyone that try to intervew her after that DBS,KAIRI,Q95 trust me she’ll make alot more than that prize money.The prize money should be a minimum 2000EC PLSE…..stop insulting those children and their parents intelligence after weeks of preparing for this.
SHUTUP&PAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To Miss Morancie, Congratulations, I know you would make me proud. Love u
To doidoy: Really if you had nothing of substance to contribute best you did not comment….over the last couple years what have been the complexion of the queens, the kings, the teenage pageants and oh what colour was the princess who crowned Miss Cuffy and the princess before…WHITE…what are you colour blind?
Just congratulate the young lady for her excellent performance. She was well deserving of her crown.
Well its time change came.. i was a little concern as to the size of the little girl because folks on ..there saying queen honeyfira presure will go up if there is a repeat of the 2003 with this young princess who won… Lord thanks for the breakthrough wish it had come earlier but oh well..u know DOMINICAN those who think because they walk on a stage etc they have all the experience to talk about size and discriminate againts talent. I’m happy this change has come and hope this message is transmitted through the queen show. because if my queenshow commentry serves me well Ms. Nagico Ms. Paul 2003 Won best telent, Ms. Itelligent and Ms. Photogenic and still didnt get a place so its good that this young lady shine won basically 2 of 3 of the same areas that the young lady which was cheated from her crown in 2003 and won. Congrats and WATCH OUT FOR THE BIG GIRLS whossssssssssssss
well done princess, u did a good job, graceful child ,, !
Go Dublanc Go
Augustina and Orlando must be rather proud this morning. Congratulations little girl.
Congratulations to Miss Moranice of the Dublanc Primary. I listened to the show via the net and wished I could be there. I have came into contact with this beauty at her school and she has talent and ability. To her mum and her school I say congratulations.
congrats Selena…. really proud of you… u did well… i can imagine mummy and daddy are all smiles…keeping working hard to accomplish your endeavours….
CONGRATULATIONS SELENA U DID GREAT BABY GURL
Selena was great, she maintained in all the aspects of the show. Lando congrats on your daughter’s accomplishments, she sure made you proud. Continue doing your best dear and maintain.
Selena your interview with DBS was great. You are MS. INTELLIGENT because the speech was impromptu. Thats what we need in representation from all angles. Go girl.
Hey all The girls were good.I think the queen contestants need to go to the Roteract club For trainging.To all Rotaracters Great job.U did good
Congrats Selena! You did well. Lovely talent, very intelligent girl. Very graceful and lovely princess!! Congrats to Grand Bay as well and to all the other little princesses. Roseau Primary School in particular, you should have been judged the 2nd runner up. You were very consistent and performed well. But Selena and Grand Bay was well judged. Its only the second place that was not judge properly.
You girls are all princesses.
This was a great show. The crown was won by the most consistent and derserving contestant. Great job to the organizers. One comment though…..we need to let individuals understand that it is a PRINCESS SHOW and not the NATIONAL QUEEN SHOW. Clearly some contestants were overly made up and their dresses did not reflect PARTY DRESS. If I am correct, the section was PARTY DRESS/WEAR….not EVENING WEAR. Organizers must look into this!
Congratulations Selena! I am so proud of you.
i’m so impressed with the quality of the shakira’s and selena’s speech. they are so fluent. these kids spoke much much much better than the REIGNING MISS DOMINICA. compare the reigning miss dominica’s interveiw after her show to that of selena’s.
so far from what i’ve seen and heard the crown should have gone to grandbay. hmmmmmmm
what complexion is the girl from grand bay,if dark let me know,cause there’s no way dark skin people win any thing in dominica
Congratulations Shakira Bramble Miss Grandbay.You girls spoke very good. Keep it up. I was listening on the internet in Canada,T.O. GTA. Hogtown.Bigsmoke,T.DOT.Big up all Grandbayrians massive@ home & abroad.
CONGRATULATIONS to the young lady who topped the princess show and also I’m applauding the other young ladies who competied. You are all winners because you all were very brave and did your utmost. I’m so proud . I listened to the show all the way in New Jersey and I enjoyed every moment.
YOU GO GIRL!!!
Wow it was a very tight competition in my opinion between Selena and Shakira but I have to say Congrats
Congratulations Selena. You performed well. You can DANCE and oh so graceful. A title well deserved
i listen to this show via the internet and i would give grand bay win an selena first.but congratulation girls
this show was not judged fair .i mean come on judges even if grand bay won last year they deserve to win this year this was pure stealing.shakira is our 2010 princess
this child did well but still she did not deserve it.lets go grand bay lets go.shakira is our 2010 princess.
And congrats to miss Grandbay … you did well
Congrats.. girlie you made us all proud we listened from england and Dominica and we were proud of you
Good for you selena you did very well i’m very proud of you.
Congratulations my dear. You spoke very well in your interview with the journalist after the crowning. I am very impressed that a 10 year old can be so fluent. Aim higher darling. To all the others, you did your best and congrats.
Selena baby, I new you could do it. It is in the blood. Congratulation girl you worked hard. I am missing the carnival, but I listened to the show. You were excellent.