St Ann Festival Queen Thanks God For Her Win
Halfway through the coronation show for the Miss St Ann Festival Queen, from the comments and the shouts, most believed they knew the winner.
There were seven contestants: Ayoka Davis, Miss Tents N’ More; Chevelle Henry, Miss Beauty Statement Salon; Shaina Drummond Miss Precision Survey; Shanice Bolt, Miss Achievers Sports and Trophies; Brittany Alexander, Miss First regional Credit Union; Laufene Marsh, Miss Acid Protection Services and Nia Souden, Miss Double D Promotions International.
But with talent pieces done evening wear shown off and the contestants down to five 24-year-old Nia Souden had already bagged four of the six sectional prizes: Most Active in the Community, Most Culturally Aware, Most Popular on Social Media and Most Poised. The other two sectional prizes went to the eventual winner, contestant number 1, Ayoka Davis: Best Performance and Most Congenial, the latter voted by the contestants. Indeed, were there a prize for best gown Nia Souden would have been in the running, for a shimmering hip-hugging gown that she carried well.
INTERVIEW SECTION
(Brandon Williams serenading the queens)
But then came the interview section and Miss Davis won over many. Asked what would she say to the Prime Minister if she had a chance to speak to him, Davis spoke boldly about the mental health needs of the population and then, she, a teacher in a high-pitched and emotional voice made a strong case for better pay for teachers. That brought the house down.
(An appreciative wave from the Queen)
The question to Miss Souden was difficult, it must be said, but she made a hash of it. Members of the audience including her fans were squirming, calling for a halt, and shaking their heads as Souden finished. That, many believed, proved fatal for her chances at wearing the crown.
After the interviews of the five left standing, out of seven who started the night, the audience had a time to cool off and take in a few items from guest performers. The best of all came from the two-member Jabali Generation who did an amorous dance piece.
There were rough edges to the choreography, nonetheless, it had the audience transfixed. They cheered heartily at the end.
Brandon Williams had earlier serenaded the ladies and did a good job.
Then Kimberly Todd did her final walk as the 2022 queen and sat in the queen’s chair for the announcement.
When Souden was named second runner-up there was, first, a stunned silence before the conference room at the Cardiff Hotel broke out into screams and shouts. Davis’ supporters, in particular, stomped and screamed and by the time the second place or first runner-up was announced tears started to flow from some of them, including her sister who was on pins and needles throughout.
Nineteen-year-old St Hilda’s High and York Castle High graduate Brittany Alexander was named as first runner-up or in second place.
That was the cue for the room to rock with cheers and screams, as many believed Davis had the best chance then of the other three of the five who had been chosen and who were behind the curtain. When Miss Davis was announced as Queen she appeared first surprised then was stately and gracious taking the walk.
The audience went wild.
Miss Davis, a graduate of Northern Caribbean University where she continues graduate studies told the North Coast Times that she was grateful to God and that there were many times she felt like giving up. “With everything, there is a God,” she said. She is a teacher and counsellor at her alma mater Maria High School, St Mary. She said the school gave her hope when others rejected her when she was a child. She said there were some who still tried to reject her but she thanked the many supporters she had and those who mentored her.
She wants to do law and journalism and enjoys drawing singing and dancing.
Emcee for the show was a very agile La-Toya Brooks Sewell. The judges were Franklyn Simms (chief) Kerry-Ann Fereria, and Patricia Allen. There was a team of auditors, trainers ushers, and runners, led by parish manager Wentlin Mantle.
Ends
