Reigning Miss Dominica, Nadira Lando, has received a four-year scholarship from the government of Dominica in recognition of her achievements including her victory at the recently held Miss Jaycees pageant in Antigua.
Lando outperformed competitors from across the region and walked away with the Miss Jaycees crown on Saturday, August 4.
Speaking at a welcome reception for Lando on Wednesday Minister of Culture, Justina Charles said the scholarship was government’s way of recognizing what Lando had achieved. “In recognition of your achievement the government of Dominica has decided to award, as usual to our Carnival Queens, a scholarship that will allow you to attend a university of your choice for a period of four years,” she stated.
The minister said the gesture is also government’s way of investing and empowering the youths for their own development.
Lando’s victory at the 51-year-old Miss Jaycees pageant added another crown to her collection. She was crowned Miss Caribbean World in Tortola on May 6 and she also holds the Miss Dominica crown which she won during the 2012 Carnival season.
Kudos to Ms. Lando. Great Job! Hooray for the Kalinago people. Congratulations are in order for the government of Dominica for its efforts to recognize the achievements of Ms Lando. Great! Well done. I find Ms Lando to be a very beautiful, articulate and smart young lady. She is a great ambassador. Without a doubt this is an excellent way to for government to recognize what Lando has achieved. The scholarship will undoubtedly encourage her in achieving much more in the future. I wish her well and hope that she attends UWI. Indeed, such gestures from government demonstrate in a practical way that government is interested in investing and empower the youth.
One concern that could legitimately be raised here is whether or not the award of a university scholarship is a pre-determined prize given to any carnival queen. If not, this would send a wrong signal, especially in light of a pattern of this administration in doing things based on impulse and without proper planning or predetermined criteria. The government usually acts as if the country’s resources are personal funds to do as it wishes, when it wishes and for the benefit of whosoever it sees fit- no questions asked in order to score political points for the Labour Party.
As long as there is transparency in granting the award- there is no problem. Ms. Lando deserves it and the government does well in granting it. However, government cannot be seen to be making awards for the personal benefit of people in the absence of a publicly known and approved programme or plan with set, pre-approved criteria for selection. We cannot be seen to be acting in according to the whims and fancy of the one with the power to decide how to spend government’s money.
We may recall a situation where through impulsive behaviour, a foreign cricketer (Chanderpaul) was awarded Dominican Citizenship- just like that- no consultation- no criteria for the award etc. We saw Tasha P wining the calypso crown in 2011 and Bam! land and gifts from government. The question is whether we have a system in place to provide such gifts to all cricketers scoring centuries in Dominica, carnival queens and calypso kings- whoever they are or wherever they come from. If so, then all is well. If not, our bad. It should simply be clear that if it were another young lady from Marigot (a supporter) of Edison James who had achieved exactly what Ms. Lando has achieved, the government would react in the same way? We hope so- for the resources of state must be used fairly and all citizens must have an equal and fair opportunity to benefit.
So what long story is that nuh seriously??
Excellent commentary. Very fair observation. The length was necessary to make your points and they were all well written.
Wow such interest in the ministers’ statement No matter for everyone’s clarification continue reading.
Yes it is a fact that as one of her prizes Miss Dominica is awarded with a scholarship (limited), but the terms of this contract states that the scholarship is up to the first degree and it is based on the fees of UWI. So although you may attend any other school you will have to cover the difference of what you are studying if it is more than that of UWI. So indeed Miss Lando was awarded with an unlimited scholarship and I am sure some of the queens before wish they had this kind of scholarship. Hope this clears the air.
She has already said she wants to study LAW at UWI. I don’t even think she has thought this through properly. Law School is 5 Years TOTAL…3 years in Barbados for your LLB Law degree and 2 years in Trinidad or Jamaica for your LEC to be able to be called to the bar. Research properly!! THEREFORE 4 year scholarship is quite insufficient….either choose something else…OR go BACK to the GOVERNMENT and clear this up with them! Just my two cents..being an attorney in Dominica myself! Whatever the path God Bless!!
My understanding is that UWI gives scholarships to Kalingagos on the recommendation of the chief, so if she wants to do law, and Govt. is giving her a scholarship for 4 years then there can be some arrangement between the providers of the scholarship. Chief Joseph needs to play his part. Maybe former chief Williams can give some advice there and have something worked out for the young lady. She needs that. It would be so uplifting to know that she is called to the bar in the next six years. I wish you well Miss Lando.
yeah u did great u made the kalinagos very proud
congratulations to u my kalinago friend.u are my role model.someday i hope to make our people proud, just as u have done.
OUTSTANDING!!! Way to go Ms. Nadira!
yes she won again, but alu not asking why?
it’s because she looks like a white woman (meaning her complection and hair)
all where she win is black ppl she against and d 1 she doe get is a venezuelan dat take it.
JUST SAYING
Seriously? Your name says it all. The woman is an indigenous woman. What looks white about her? Your insecurity is stinking up the message board. Maybe you need to get in touch with yourself and learn to love and appreciate yourself before making your baseless accusations.
young lady congratulations. skerrit should make you an ambassador at large for youth, women and indegenous peoples.
Before you decide on a university, decide on a career path, and a major suited to your intended career path, then select a top tier school of your choice and make sure you have the entry qualifications and if you dont seek to get it.
You are beautiful, intelligent and i hope a God fearing person… use your talents. Dont let anyone use you as there sex mule, dont let any one disrespect you, dont let fame go up in your head…… Remember, God is good all the time and all the time God is good. Let God be your feet and your hands and your head in all your future endeavours… continue to do well, make your family proud and Dominica proud.
To the HATERS…live and let live. God love you Nadira… begin to serve him…be blessed.
Four years will not cover Law school. I propose that they simply offer to cover the entire duration of her studies. She has done her people and the entire population of Dominica proud. Take notice other young women on Island; everything is within your grasp.
is it because i am tired or i dont have my glasses on .because i really dont understand the last paragraph
If you replace the as with at, it will make alot of sense
i was trying to understand what you was trying to say .i read my comment over and over and didnt see what you was saying .then i just go back to the paragraph,and i do what you ask me to do ,and yes it really make sence .thanks for the observation
As Dominican, I will recognize this scholarship as coming from the people of Dominica, in appreciation of her great representations. This is how Justina Charles should have said it.
you see this is the usual thing using & fooling our indigenous people is common practice of Dominica, Come on Minister of youth & sports, re adjust youir offer to the equivalent, the young lady worked hard and delegently for what she has earned, she has won it, it is hers , do not play her around.
the girl made it clear that is Barbados(UWI) she want to go to study Law
So caught all you crap!!!!
DNO please clarify for us whether a scholarship is part of the prizes for the winner of the Miss Dominica Pageant.
at his time the Government should offer her a diplomatic passport
Reason why i said : when you win Miss Dominica you already got a scholarship
Think Again People
University of your choice…. very nice! let me help you select… lets see, maybe Harvard or Yale, as an international student.
Doesn’t she have to get accepted first?
duhhh, as with any University!!!
Good job Nadox!!!!!!! You have done your best for your country in the region. No matter what people say bout you, don’t listen to them especially the negative ones. I’m betting Leandra Lander never visited patients at the P.M.H or the Grotto Home for the Homeless and more. YOU ROCK… Keep it up Nadiro and continue to be this positive young woman you are and a good role model to the young people especially the young women out there. LOVE YOU GIRL.
That’s not very nice. Leandra is a dedicated teacher and dedicates her time to those under her tutelage so much so that she rushes home every holiday while she was studying abroad. Come on. There are many ways to serve. Lets support all our Queens! One Love
You don’t need to take swipes at Leandra to embrace Nadira. Each in their own right, each in their own time.
Congratulations Miss Lando. You have made Dominica proud each and every time you went out there and represent us. and this is a well deserved reward….i wish you as much success in your studies as you have been in these competitions. Best of luck and wishes your way dear…..
DNO u self…u don’t take time to write ur stories na.
your lead is somewhat a contradiction of Justina’s quote. added to that, it is general knowledge that Miss Dca receives a scholarship upon winning the national crown. your story therefore becomes very misleading.
There are good universities in the Caribbean, closer to home
Here’s hoping that a scholarship is in the pipeline for Miss Plus Size and Mr. Dominica 2013.
It’s unhealthy to be plus sized. Why should anyone get a scholarship or medal for being unhealthily overweight?
I feel i can take part in Ms plus size and win!! I weighing about 190. lbs
But i think they should give a a weight range, its so disguting watching fat flabbing on stage uncontrollably!!! It’s gross!! Plus size does not mean obsease you know, these ladies that participating are OBSESE!! THAT’S MORE THAN JUST PLUS SIZE!
The show don’t have sufficient prestigue to be awarded scholarship, it is disgracefull!!
i think the weight should be 180 lbs – 230 lbs
People 230 pounds and up adding disgrace to the event and making it look down upon
And What makes you think that you are not OBESE either? Anytime a person is about 20 pounds heavier than the average weight for his/her height then that person is obese. The irony of what you are sharing is that you feel that you would do well representing plus size (obese, fat, huge)people when you are bringing down the very same people you claim to uplift. Shame on you. I honestly don’t think that you were schooled well because you would know that their is no dfference with being plus-sized, overweight, obese, fat, huge etc. Good body shape or not obese is obsese. 20 pounds heavier? 30 pounds heavier, 100 pounds heavier; obese is obese. I am obese myself but I use this as motivation to lose the weight. I have begun exercising and maintaining a good diet, ensuring that I eat lots of fruits, veggies (3/4 of the plate should contain these foods) and drink water. So Ann, please stop CRITCIZING yourself in other. Thank You.
I said Ms plus size it not prestigious enough to recieve Scholarship!!!!
All this flabby fat on stage is disgusting. 300 lbs of fat flabbering on stage is really Gross!!!
The ladies taking part are OBSEESE not just plus size, please set a weight of 180-230 lbs for the show. This is thick ladies weight(plus size) NOT OBEESE PEOPLE!!!!!
So what you saying? Fat people dont have right to scholarships?
“A university of her choice”, hmmm…… Please Nadira don’t go to Midwestern or Grambling. Study for SAT’s and do your best and try to go to some other and better school than these two institutions of death! Wichita is a trailer park and there’s nothing there to enhance your school experience. Grambling is run down and below par. Plus, you don’t want to be around too many young Dominicans especially those male ones. All they talk about is which ‘shabine’ they’re going to sleep with next. Nothing but drama. I visited a few of my friends there and I never went back! Yuck!!!!
While I agree that these are not the top school, I don’t think your assessement is fair. No, I did not attend either of these universities, I was in NYC.
Nadira, when choosing a university,review them. See how they are accredited, google them, you can even visit them before you select.
Explore your options. Everybody is going to tell you that the school they attended is the best.
Nadira, If you go to Wichita State University in Wichita Kansas you will be safe in a beautiful clean place. You will be exposed to a vareity of culture; foods from all around the world and friendly students. The Schools of Business, Engineering and Communication are formidable. Try it and I know you will like it. No distractions like CUNY and Oaklohoma….no other Dominican Student.
what you mean no distractions? Everywhere you go , you will find distractions!!! Nonsense you talking
and by the way she said is UWI Barbados she going!
Just curious, we are from Dominica, and live in Wichita, Kansas, never met a Dominican here. Are you a Dominican? While Wichita may not have the busy fast life that some people like, it is indeed a nice place to raise a family, study etc.
Please contact us at antoey (at) hotmail…(no spaces) Please get in touch!
So because you had your bad experience you think everyone will be unfortunate like you? Success at university depends more on discipline, diligence, determination, maturity and will power than the school or your peers…and let the young lady assess her options and make a choice she and her family comfortable with, not what YOU think is best or better.
all the best
I thought a scholarship was one of the prize given to the contestant that wins Miss Dominica. All the past Miss Dominica received one from since it was added as a prize.
exactly so i wondering what they talking about when she earned that by becoming Miss Dominica
leandra lander was and will always b the best queen she won more crowns and they treated her like dirt
Leandra the best queen? Nope! Never! That title would go to Ms Marcella Larocque! Maybe even Giselle or even Kamala or even the one from other lady from Petite soufriere.
Oh and my assessment is based on representation and exciting the people. Not the amount of crowns a person wins.
While I don’t want to turn this into negativity, Leandra won more crowns than all these ladies you mentioned. But with regard to “Shame’s” comment: how you mean Leandra was treated like “dirt”? She got a scholarship too. She just completed her degree at Mona. She won all her jewelry, cruise, trips and cash. What is the “dirt” comment about?
Statistically, Leandra is tied with Marcella for the most crowns, which puts her in a different category from the other women you mentioned.
It may be difficult to argue who is the “best” based on how they lived their lives after their pageants. But much to Ms. Lander’s credit, her tennure as Ms. Dominica and what has happened afterwards is closely aligned with her pageant platform and her professional ambitions. Ms. Lander completed her degree the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus with high Honors and has returned to her native land, where she continues to give service to Dominica’s children. Her involvement both at UWI, Jamaica and in Dominica, in a vareity of cultural and philanthropic areas speak volumes to her propensity for greatness.
That “Nope! Never!” came out a bit too harsh. Almost to downplay the young lady’s contribution. Giselle and Kamala went on to do good things with their lives (presumably). But note that they won their titles in 97 and 98 respectively; Marcella 87-89 thereabout. So they have had more time to do different things.
Notice I am not putting any one of these women over the other because they all have positively contributed to Dominica in some way.
But as a supporter of Ms. Dominica 2007, Leandra Lander, it would remise of me not to stand in her defense.
Leandra is not as amicable as this queen. Although she was a well decorated queen. Nadira is like world standard, she can represent Dominica internationally….
what do you know about leandra. you know nothing! I have known her personally for over 8 years and i would be proud to be represented by such a smart lady.
there is no place for this comment here. Allow Lando her time to shine.
Minerve Lewis continues to shine, that’s all i got to say. Congratulations Nadira… keep excelling
WHOSSSSSSSSSSS..Lord i had to on this comment Minerve Lewis 2003..Whose the most glaring results ever thing the history of competition. Ms. Nagico Ms Paul was in fact the 2003 base on the results of out winning the different runs but needless to say that sal Ms. Shilingford and he sal sus that thought de person child was a papi show but the joke was on them in the end thou. From my understanding this woman has went on to do a lot and made great strides for her self. And Ms. Lewis, they did u and injustice because u made a fool of your title reign. Look at it the so call innovative costume they say that made u win queen show didn’t do or make an impact in the regional competition hence the swim wear rounds. No a place or a title in the regional competitions. A shame. Ms. Lewis name should never in the history of dominica queen show or shows of that nature be mention because by far she was a poor example of a carnival queen she got pregnant a few months after giving up her title hence becoming a queen of dominica should lunch you into an atmosphere where u are able to advance one self etc and what she doing the same customer service support at national bank. Mine me wee.. whossssss..
Best queens were Marcella Larocque; Kamala, Marcia, Mara, Nakita…
Leandra was ok just a little corky WHOSSSSSSSS….
But the best queens of all time was: Francilia Agar The best Kalinagos QUeen of Dominica.. She was the package deal talent class and brains.. WHoss..Margrit-Rose was another good one she even went to Ms. Universe and represent Dominica 1987 i saw the tape of it.
This makes sense to me since a scholarship has been part of the prizes awarded to carnival queens for the past five years or so. Justina why do you make it sound like something special was being done for this queen. Nakita, Leandra, Marcia, Mara, Kayan – they all got scholarships.
If you had read the article above properly you would have seen that Miss Justina Charles said “In recognition of your achievement the government of Dominica has decided to award, OUR CARNIVAL QUEENS AS USUAL , a scholarship that will allow you to attend a university of your choice for a period of four years,” she stated. Justina is aware that the other queens have received scholarships. And for your information receiving a scholarship IS something special!
Wishing you the very best young lady, the future is yours take it.BLESSINGS !!!
Congratulations our queen, You really deserve it.
nothing new
i thought when you win queen you already get a scholarship.. congrats nadz!
is this any different than the one given as miss Dominica in Feb or is it another scholarship? Does she now have two scholarships or is this just a re-announcement of the same if so whats the big do?
Congrats nads. Well deserved!!!
Luv u mucho
Xoxo
Great gesture by the government
On behalf of the people of Dominica, not the Labour Party. Let’s remember that.
continue makin our island proud’u go girl’
Congrats Ms Lando! Dominica deserves it. Educate yourself and continue to make Dominica proud.
CONGRATULATIONS, Nado, and 2 thumbs up to the Dominican Government, well done, she deserves it
Great job done,Nadira.Always remain who you are. Someone like Chad you must not forget. At the time people saying its your chaperones, always remember Chad was with you even when things were going wrong with your Team.The many hours that was taken from him, you must remember to recognise him in many ways.Imust say you will make a great Ms Universe or Ms World contender.
Is our Govt willing to use your promotional skills?
will you stop promoting this Chad, Chad , Chad nonsense. this is about our queen.
For Jaycees of Dominica Carnival she get the scholarship?
people of dominica we need to help our young people for doing well let all help them keep there head up high lets do all we can to see them move its for all lot of us do want to go and play our part but just stand are side and take our young people down am praying that God can help me some day soon so i can play my part and help all the some of dominica young girls and boys in sports .I want to say are big thanks to this young dominican for cominig to antigua and doing her best it was 15 girls my people and she got it all you know how happy we were in antigua to get the news that she got it.It was not an easy road so am saying tanks one more time to her and all who took part to see it work out for us dominicans one love
so if she say she want to go to Harvard or Oxford, we have that kind of money?
I think they need to explain clearly that it is “a university of your choice but the govt will cover the cost up to the UWI price for that same degree” because that is what it really is. Luckily, that costs covers quite a few universities. Trust me, I know the fine print.
I am almost certain that there is an upward limit on the monetary value of this scholarship.
Wishing you all the best in whatever profession/field you decide to pursue, and i do hope that you will continue to make Dominica and your fans proud
God bless you Nadira
Wait, so isn’t it automatic that once you win Miss Dominica, you get a scholarship? I don’t get it. I thought she had a scholarship from the gov already?!
it’s just a repitition of the same old story. DNO has nothing to do, the idle!!!!!