Seventeen-year-old Vianela Garcia, who looked like Cinderella in her lime green evening wear, seemed dazed after winning the Elmore Stoutt High School Fifth Form crown last Saturday at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex.

“I’m so surprised, I honestly didn’t expect to win,” she said, her hands trembling from excitement before being beseeched by a sea of her family and friends.  

A crowd favourite from the introductory segment, Garcia had the ‘wow’ factor, which gave her an edge over the other four contestants.   

And for her stunning performance, Garcia whose career choices are either in medicine or law, won the ‘Miss Photogenic’, ‘Miss Poise’, ‘Best Evening Wear’, and ‘Best Talent’ prizes. She also won $500, a scholarship to the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, and a laptop among others prizes. 

The first runner-up position was given to contestant #5, Channiece Mathavious while contestant #3, Riiah Durante got the second runner-up spot.

Mathavious, 15, also received a number of special prizes which included the ‘Personal Development’ award, the ‘People’s Choice’ award, ‘Miss Popular’ – the contestant that collected the most funds, and ‘Best Career Wear’.

Extraordinary performances   

Held under the theme “The Beauty You See Is The Service In Me” – the pageant saw a diversity of impressive talent performances, dramatic career choices and stunning evening gowns.

Contestant #1, Zubida O’Neal who shared the Best Career Wear with the first runner-up Mathavious, made an impact to the screaming audience with her plumber ‘get-up’. Actually, she was on a job clearing a clogged toilet, before strutting her stuff for the judges and an appreciative audience.  Although she was not placed, O’Neal carted off the ‘Most Determined to Succeed’ award and the ‘Miss Congeniality’ trophy.

Fifteen-year-old Rogelle Edmondson, contestant #2, upped the tempo as she – a air traffic controller - gave instructions to a small aircraft on the runway. The props were extremely striking with lights flickering on the cardboard-cutout aircraft.

With a repeated call echoing throughout the Complex ‘paging doctors’, the audience was taken into a hospital room setting where second runner-up Durante dressed in a nurse’s garb was tending to a baby who she had just saved.

Contestant #4, Durante was dramatic in her presentation. She rushed on stage dressed as a firefighter amidst thick smoke, siren blazing and equipped with a hose she was ready to dose the fire.

Rounding up the segment was Mathavious, a Solid Waste Department worker, who actually had a wheelbarrow and her tools ready for garage collection.

When the Mistress of Ceremonies, Geraldine Ritter-Freeman who announced the audience would be treated to some mind-boggling talent performances – some were pessimistic.

But the ladies were exceptional. Accolades must be given to the winner Garcia – who gave a powerful rendition of the song ‘Listen’ original sung by Beyonce Knowles. The audience was awe-struck by the singer’s vocals and for her effort she received a standing ovation. Her platform was foster care and prior to the song Garcia through a poem spoke about the neglect of some children going through the foster care system.

Mathavious, too made use of her vocals and dressed as a Police Officer pleaded with the audience to play a greater role in solving crimes in the Territory.  

O’Neal, in VI traditional wear paid tribute to VI leaders, heroes and icons, while Edmondson in a wheel chair costume spoke in the chair’s voice “Willie Wheelchair” - highlighting the inadequate facilities available for the disabled. Her performance ended with a strong message – treat all with respect.

Meanwhile, Durante played the keyboard.

This year’s pageant incorporated the contestants’ service to the community and the Pageant Committee choose Edmondson as the winner of the Service Award. She also won the Miss Intellect award.

The Question and Answer segment was done a few days before the grand finale.

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