By: Precious Mills
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Sunday 6th May 2018)- From a field of eight contestants, Ovalyn ‘Sunshine’ Whyte outshone her pageant rivals to be crowned the 2018 Miss Labour Pageant Queen before an impressive and energetic audience gathered at Carnival Village last night (Saturday).
The young beauty was crowned by the St.Kitts-Nevis Labour Party Leader and immediate former Prime Minister Dr. Denzil L. Douglas.
Whyte’s onstage personality wowed members of the audience throughout the show made evident by their thunderous applause and cheers during her individual appearances that night.
In the end, this crowd favourite was an overall hit with the judges of the pageant amassing a total of 773.5 points.
First runner-up is Jahquysma Liburd of Constituency One 740.5 points followed by second runner-up Davincia Brandy of Constituency Six with 703.5 points while Johnette Williams of Constituency Five took third runner-up place with 676 points.
Both Whyte and Liburd tied for Best Creative Wear with131 points each while Brandy copped Best Motivational Speech with 219.5 points.
Additionally, the newly-crowned queen won Best Performing Talent scoring 276 points while the first runner-up got Best Elegant Wear with 160 points.
Whyte’s talent in particular which saw her dramatising through dance and spoken words was a special hit for the audience as she humoursly and entertainingly commended the Party leader Dr. Douglas for being right in his advice and warning leading up to the 2015 General Elections.
“Dougie you was right!” was a frequent line she rang out while touching on topics like high food prices and the alleged threat of contamination to the Basseterre Aquifer should a new Basseterre High School be constructed within that area.
Parliamentary Representative for Constituency Two (Central Basseterre) Hon. Marcella Liburd, in speaking with this media house, praised Whyte for a job well done whilst applauding the standard of the pageant.
“Ovalyn Whyte did a magnificent job tonight, taking the crown right home to Central Basseterre I thought she had a wonderful performance. All in all I thought it was a very good show. We are happy that Central Basseterre was able to take home the crown,” she remarked.
Liburd Thanked Whyte’s chaperone team and all others who helped along the way on the journey to the crown.
Tariq Drew, a member of the chaperone team told this reporter, “I feel speechless right now. Preparations were challenging, stressful and tiring but tonight she came out and did what she had to do and won and so I’m extremely proud.”
He thanked all members of the team whom he listed individually.
Whyte’s sister Xarista Collins spoke on behalf of the family informing that her sister spoke confidently about winning the pageant.
“She told me ‘I got this! I got this!’ And when she came out and showed me how she performed, I’m overjoyed! She shocked me and I’m very proud of her!” she commented.
The other contestants were Takilah Stanley of Constituency Three, Jahshanti Hodge of Constituency Four, Azambia Alexander of Constituency Seven and Tresjeur of Constituency Eight.
The show was hosted Brianda Harvey (Miss National Carnival Queen Pageant 2013 second runner-up) and Jackeima Flemming (reigning Miss National Carnival Swimwear Queen) while well-known radio personality Maurice ‘EK’ Flanders emceed.
Two of the Federation’s top singing sensations Byron Messia and Dejour were guest performers.