It is no secret that the Antiguan public had been craving for the Caribbean Jaycees Queen title to return home. This year at the 48th installment of the competition, the country received its answer in 21 year-old Shelana George. The recently-crowned 2009 Antigua Carnival Queen had just four days to prepare for the Jaycees competition. This was her second ever pageant and she was confidently hoping to take the crown. With ten contestants competing for the title, consistency in all segments was the key to winning the evening’s coveted prize.

In addition to host country Antigua, other countries that sent delegates were Jamaica, Trinidad, St. Lucia, Dominica, St. Croix, St. Kitts, St. Vincent and The Grenadines, Montserrat, and Barbados. The show began with the delegates introducing themselves onstage wearing their national dress. The question and answer segment was up first and won handily by Miss Jamaica Katrina Grant, who gave the clearest and most intelligent response. She was concise when asked what plans could be made to ensure her country could deal with the possibility of low food supply. Grant also won best talent for her dramatic portrayal of a young single mother giving advice to other women on how to become strong females. Grant completed her trio of wins with the title of Miss Congeniality, a prize voted on by the other nine delegates of the competition.

Miss Lucia, Cathy Daniel wooed the judges into voting her the winner in the Best Swimwear sub-category. Her angular blue bathing suit was tailored to fit beautifully and it was no surprise to anyone present that she deserved to win this segment. Daniel also went on to win Miss Photogenic. The best evening wear prize was awarded to Miss Antigua, Shelana George, whose regal presence stood out in her café au lait presentation entitled ‘Return to Innocence’. Her rhythmic moves to the music as she glided over the stage won the approval of the judges as well as the audience. She definitely channelled an African Queen with her dread updo highlighting her bone structure.

For most people in the audience, the frontrunners appeared to be Grant and George and given that Grant won two of the four judged segments, many expected her to take the crown. George’s consistency throughout the show however, is what signalled the judges to declare her the 48th Jaycees Caribbean Queen, breaking the domination of the Dominican delegates, who had won the competition the previous two years.

Shelana George not only becomes the first dreadlocked Antiguan Queen of Carnival, but also the first Jaycees Caribbean Queen to sport the hairstyle. George appeared surprised at her win, as she felt the Jaycees competition was a tighter competition than her previously won crown. Miss Barbados, Dannyele Leslie was adjudged first runner-up with Miss Jamaica Katrina Grant coming up just short with the third runner-up prize.

LINISA George is a featured freelance writer for 365antigua.com and be contacted at: writer@365antigua.com