Miss Dominica 2016 contestants sashed and introduced

As the 2016 Carnival season draws closer, Dominicans are getting their first glimpse of the contestants who will vie for the title of Miss Dominica Carnival Queen.

Six young ladies vying for this prestigious title received their sashes on Thursday at the office of the Dominica Festivals Committee (DFC).

They are Tasia Floissac, 22, of Castle Comfort; Abigail Shillingford, 19, of Goodwill; Britney Pharoah, 22, of Grandbay; Nawana Shillingford, 25, of Loubiere; Mernel Christmas, 19, of Campbell and Judy Toussaint, 20, of San Sauveur.

“This event here today, at least for me, is pretty historic in that, and rightfully so, it is the first official event that Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) and the DFC are having as it relates to an entertainment event post Tropical Storm Erika,” Chairman of the DFC and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the DDA, Colin Piper said. “As many know, as a show of respect for those who lost their lives and lost property, the government took the position to limit the entertainment activities that it would normally have during Independence Season, and so that impacted the staging of the World Creole Music Festival.”

Piper told the contestants that it is a very courageous and selfless act participating in the National Queen Pageant.

“One that we know that exposes some of these young ladies to criticisms, however, I share the view that we live in hope and not in fear,” he stated. “We believe that you all are very intelligent and talented and we, therefor,e encourage and support you as you use this platform in your quest to perform to the best of your ability and to display such talents.”

He assures all stakeholders in Dominica and revellers abroad that the DFC is in its final stages of planning for a “very exciting” calendar of events for Mas Domnik 2016.

Chairperson of the Queen Show Committee, Romualda Hyacinth, revealed that the selection process for contestants started in August 2015, however, was placed on hold due to the passage of the August 27 storm.

“The selection process was reactivated in October 2015 and the following contestants were successful and are in full training for their participation in Miss Dominica 2016,” she explained.

According to her, the contestants who are vying for the coveted title of Miss Dominica 2016 are extremely talented, beautiful and intelligent.

“They are aware that the decision to enter the pageant means undergoing the task of becoming a role model of young ladies of this beautiful island, a decision that is by no means easy and entails many sacrifices,” Hyacinth said.

Additionally, she indicated, that the Miss Dominica Pageant is not just a beauty pageant, “but an opportunity for young ladies to further their education and become leaders within our community.”

“The experiencing and exposure gained from this journey is invaluable and will impact the young ladies positively for a lifetime,” she noted.

She urged corporate partners to come forward to sponsor all the contestants.

Hyacinth also encouraged the support and participation of the general public in a number of upcoming events.

Carnival 2016 will be officially launched on Thursday 3 rd December 2015 at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium.

Following that event, the first village launch of the contestants will be held on Sunday 6th December, where Britney Pharoah will be launched at 1:00 pm, Nawana Shillingford at 3:00 pm and Tasia Floissac at 5:00 pm.

On Saturday 12th December, Mernel Christmas, Abigail Shillingford and Judy Toussaint will be launched.

All contestants will be launched in the communities which they represent.

The Queen show pre-show will be held on December 19 th at the Arawak House of Culture at 7:00 pm.

The Miss Dominica Pageant will be held on February 5.