A law enforcement officer in the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda has been crowned Miss OECS 2022.
At the competition held on November 5- at the Old Mill Cultural Centre, Keriann Thomas, edged out six other competitors from across the region to bring home the crown as well as a number of other awards.
“I feel very overwhelmed at this point because I have had some major challenges and all my hard work paid off,” the new Miss OECS revealed to Dominica News Online (DNO) following her win.
As to her secret to gaining the coveted title, Thomas says that through the competition she ensured that she remained not only confident but humbled and calm as she knew that one wrong move could have jeopardized months of hard work.
The 21-year-old who is passionate about dancing, modelling, and fitness disclosed that while she’s not ruling out the possibility of entering other regional pageants, for now, her main priority will be personal development.
According to the champ, her win was not only devoted to her country and her deceased mother, but also to the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, who she says provided tremendous support to her, from the inception.
Speaking to DNO and DBS radio, police commissioner of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica-born Atlee Rodney, showered praises on Miss Thomas, stating, “I feel very proud of her achievement because she has been determined.”
He added, “I remember when the invitation was made to her, she said she is willing and committed to the task, so we gave her all the encouragement.”
Rodney also used the opportunity to congratulate the rest of the contestants and the organizers for putting on a great show.
Despite the immense pressure that Miss St Lucia, Kejean Tori Smith, says she felt throughout the competition, trying to ensure that the crown stayed home, the teacher who secured the 1st lace positions revealed that this in itself was a major accompaniment for her, given the short timeframe she had compared to the other ladies.
“I only had 3 weeks to work with. So to pull off such an amazing position as the first runner-up, I have o choice but to be grateful and that’s how I feel,” she said.
With regional integration dear to her heart, the young woman highlighted that upon her return home, and to school, she will be sure to press to her students the importance of Caribbean unity and the cultural diversity that she got the opportunity to experience over the past few days.
“I feel so happy that the process is over and I feel so elated because I know that I made my country proud. I may not have brought home the crown but I am returning home a queen and one who made history for my country as the most sashed. So I think my home country would be very proud of that and to know that even wherever we go we always make a splash,” second runner-up Miss Grenada, Reesa McIntosh told DNO.
The secondary school teacher, who is also a cultural enthusiast and reigning Miss Grenada says that she plans on using her platform for the rest of the year to shine a light on creative arts while also advocating for universal secondary education to be administered in her homeland.
While Dominica’s Dominica’s delegate Shannon Connor St Hilaire, noted that there were a few things she wished went differently, overall, the 25-year-old jewellery designer, goldsmith, and intersectional environmentalist expressed satisfaction with her performance and the results of the show.
St Hilaire, -who secured the 2nd runner-up spot at the national pageant in 2020- says that while she has not always been included in pageantry, her experience over the years has deepened her love for the art form and if the opportunity were to present itself in the future, she would once again represent Dominica.
Awards for the evening went to Miss Grenada- Best Promotional video, miss photogenic- St Kitts and Nevis, Miss amity- Grenada, Best creative national wear -Antigua and Barbuda, Best in Creative national wear Antigua and Barbuda, Best performing talent Grenada, Best in swimwear Antigua and Barbuda, Bes swimwear Antigua and Barbuda, Best evening Gown Antigua and Barbuda, Best in Evening gown Antigua and Barbuda, Best interview Grenada.
The other contestants included Miss Anguilla, Celina Hodge, Miss St. Kitts and Nevis, Kahnein J Blanchette, Miss St. Vincent, and the Grenadines, Ikeya Providence.
In 2019, the show made a massive comeback following a 20-year hiatus, with Miss St Lucia Earlyca Frederick capturing the title. However, for the past two years, the competition could not have been held due to the many restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
lol.. she did not answer her question well and still win! The question round was worth the least points