Miss Dominica, Nadira Lando, is crowned Jaycees Caribbean Queen 2012 by her predecessor, Miss St Kitts/Nevis Iantavian Queeley (Photo by Gemma Hazelwood)
ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Hats were tipped to the organisers of the Jaycees Caribbean Queen Show for an almost flawless execution of their 51st annual competition Friday, which wrapped up around midnight with Miss Dominica, Nadira Lando, walking away with the crown.
Organisers cut down the final show from the usual six and a half hours to about half that time and there was still time for side acts. And although inclement weather caused the pageant to start an hour and a half late, the results were out shortly after midnight.
However, even as time management has been highly commended, many have slammed the new judging system that has been directly linked to the reduction of the show’s execution time.
Among the critics were several of the delegates, many spectators and even one former judge of the Jaycees Caribbean Queen Show.
Whether the system, which is similar to the Miss Universe judging method, would be changed, chairperson of the event Joseph “Billy” Francis said it is too early to decide.
“It is too early to say it would remain. It is too early for me to say because with Jaycees, it is likely the chairperson would change,” Francis said.
“It changes every year so I can not make that determination. I think the committee liked it, especially from the standpoint that it reduced the overall time of the show … We are open to changes and based on views, we could actually look at something else or maybe even just tweaking it a bit,” he added.
Under the new method, the 15 delegates were judged in a pre-show and only 10 went into the final show.
Those 10 competed in three segments, talent, swimwear and evening gown.
The best five in those segments proceeded to the Interview Segment but the points were not carried forward.
Meantime, apart from being crowned Jaycees Caribbean Queen, Dominica’s Miss Lando also walked away with the prizes for best modelling skills and best evening wear, despite being the only delegate out of 10 who tripped on her dress while appearing in that segment.
Lando was adjudged most photogenic as well.
The interview segment ultimately determined the winner.
First runner-up was Miss St Kitts & Nevis Kailah Huggins
Third place or second runner-up went to Miss St Lucia Roxanne Nicholas.
Many walked out of the stands upon hearing that Miss St Lucia had placed second runner-up. They did not wait to hear the announcement of who was named the ultimate queen of the night.
At the same time though, just as many appeared pleased with the judging and were jumping for joy when the winner was named.
One woman said it was “consistency” in the judged segments that determined which 10 of 15 delegates entered the top 10 and it again determined the final five.
The others who competed were Zoe Trotman of Barbados; Susan Castano of the Dominican Republic; Antigua’s recently crowned Queen of Carnival Ranee Laronde, who made it to the final five; St Croix’ Ashley Massiah; St Vincent & the Grenadines’ contestant Carice Glasgow and Claris Yearwood of Montserrat.
Kiswana Geoffard of Guyana; Abigail Hyndman of the British Virgin Islands; Krystle Daley of Jamaica and Jurnalis Henson of Curacao also participated.
(More in today’s Daily OBSERVER)
