As anticipation mounts for the imminent Miss OECS pageant scheduled for this evening, Acting Chief Cultural Officer Earlston Mathew has issued a heartfelt plea for respect and unity among Caribbean citizens as they support their respective contestants. Speaking to the local and regional audience, Mathew underscored the importance of maintaining a respectful atmosphere throughout the pageant festivities.
“I implore that even while we throw support behind our respective contestants, we keep it respectful,” Mathew declared. “The Miss OECS pageants should be seen as a template for Caribbean unity, as opposed to being a vehicle to breed more division.”
Highlighting the broader significance of the event, Matthew stressed that the pageant goes beyond being a mere spectacle.
“The bigger picture is Caribbean unity and integration, not just in theory, not just in talk. But in practice,” he stated. In this context, he praised the organizers for achieving something that “even Caribbean leaders have struggled with for decades.”
Congratulating the contestants, he stressed that they are not only representing themselves but also their respective countries and the Caribbean as a whole. Therefore, the anticipation is that this contest will stand as a formidable competitor, both regionally and internationally.
“So I implore you to put your best foot forward and demonstrate to the world that you possess the perfect balance between beauty and brains,” the cultural officer stated. “The fact that you accepted this challenge has already made each of you a winner in your own right. However, I understand that you aspire to achieve much more. Therefore, I wish
each of you the best of luck as you compete for the top spot.”
For her part, Romualda Hyacinth, the Director of the Miss OECS pageant, emphasizes that the event goes beyond superficial beauty, encompassing a harmonious blend of grace and intelligence. She highlights that the pageant serves as a unifying platform, bringing people together to recognize and celebrate the diverse talents of women from the OECS.
“Each of these women is unique and talented in her own way. And each one of them is a winner. Our contestants have worked hard to prepare for this event, and I am confident that they will impress you with [their] grace, poise, and confidence and make this show a memorable one,” she stated.
Taking the opportunity, she expressed gratitude to the various OECS member states for their active participation and support, extended her thanks to the participating contestants and various sponsors, and acknowledged her team for making the event possible.
Additionally, she encouraged the general public to turn out in large numbers at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium to show their support for the contestants. As previously reported by Dominica News Online Five regional beauties are set to compete for the coveted title of Miss OECS. They include Contestant Number One, Miss Grenada Amonai Francis; Contestant Number Two, Miss Antigua and Barbuda Thyana Kai Sebastian; Contestant Number Three, Miss Dominica Adicia Burton; Contestant Number Four, Miss Saint Lucia Claire Marissa Smartt; and Contestant Number Five, Miss British Virgin Islands Anika Christopher.
Despite a rescheduling from its original date of November 1, 2023, due to unforeseen logistical challenges, the contestants are prepared to showcase their talents in diverse segments, including talent showcases, interviews, and evening gown presentations, highlighting their multifaceted abilities and societal contributions. The pageant is themed “Island Elegance: Beauty Beyond Boundaries,”
The evening’s festivities commence at 8 PM, with ticket prices at $120 for VIPs, $80 for regular seating, $50 for standing room, and $20 US for live streaming through Vibean TV.
is it that Dominican society has lost to much respect for each other that we have to send this message to us. It’s a common norm that we should respect each other but when we see political leaders and persons doing the opposite we follow patern. Persons in high positions get away with murder
I find that Caribbean beauty contests are for the most part influenced by foreign concepts of beauty, with catwalk poses thrown in for good measure.
Forty years ago, from my studio in the British Virgin Islands, I exhibited a collection of drawings and sculptures that extolled the natural beauty of the Afro-Caribbean woman. My mission was to give others courage of their own visual identity. There is no need to debase your God given beauty with straightened or false hair, lightened skin tones and disguised facial features.
The collection was the forerunner of my series “Daughters of the Caribbean Sun” and had some influence on the judging of Caribbean Beauty Contests.
The series continues from my studio at Antrim and I thank my Dominican models for their contribution to the creative process. Without inspirational models my work would not exist.
You can find out more about my work at: sculpturestudiodominica.blogspot.com
” Earlston Mathew has issued a heartfelt plea for respect and unity among Caribbean citizens”
Man why don’t why don’t you shut up, and find something constructive and better to do with your life?
Get a damn job, and stop talking fart, and indeed wet fart at that!
Respect: what constitutes your stupid rhetoric?
Respect means: a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements; due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others.
When people pay their money to go to places of entertainment, they are expected that the environment will be noisy, as people may clap, and get lowed while supporting the actors, or performers of their choice!
Who the hell are you Earlston I supposed a nobody to dictate how people spending their money to conduct themselves?
“I implore:” You desperately beg people to be quiet in such a forum, man shut up!
Talk that sort of crap to your Children.
Caribbean Unity fart…