Toshanna Allicock, Miss Kara Kara was crowned the queen at the Linden Town Week Pageant, before a large crowd
which had converged at the Mackenzie Sports Club on Saturday night. She was one of seven contestants in the 2011 pageant.
Unlike previous years, the pageant was done in three segments: the intelligent segment, the swimsuit segment which was held at the Watooka Club swimming pool and the talent and evening wear segment held before a mammoth crowd at the Mackenzie Sports Club. However, on Saturday night the young ladies were back on stage with their swimsuits as a showpiece for those who missed the competition at the poolside.
As the night began, it was obvious that most of the audience favoured the second runner-up, Miss Kenicha Small, who represented Amelia’s Ward. For her talent piece, she sang a song that she wrote titled ‘Teenage pregnancy.’ Small might have lost some points here since her costume did not depict what she was singing. She pushed a baby in a stroller which represents early motherhood. Small was sponsored by L and J Shopping zone.
Allicock, who was sponsored by bauxite company BOSAI, was beautiful in a swim suit and her evening gown hugged her curvaceous body as she gracefully glided across the stage. After being selected in the final four, her answer to the question was positive, grammatically correct and well said. It was the deciding moment for her. Without a shadow of a doubt, she was well placed to take home the crown and the Digicel-sponsored motor cycle.
The first runner up, Miss Nikitta McFarlane who represented Watooka was definitely a keen follower of the Miss Universe pageant, several persons firmly believed, citing her answer to the question. “Should the queen be allowed to continue her rein if she becomes pregnant and why?” was the question. McFarlane’s response was similar to the answer given in a past Miss Universe pageant with the words “she should be allowed to celebrate her femininity.” McFarlane was sponsored by Church’s Chicken.
“Not a bad night at all” was how the event was described by some patrons. Person felt the fillers with performances by Genesis, Diana Chapman, Mistic and the LICHAS Dance Group all backed by the Movement Sound system provided excellent entertainment throughout the night. Some commented that the stage decoration and lighting were the only distasteful pieces of the night.
Producers of the local television show ‘Live Wire’ won the franchise for the pageant this year at a very late stage for planning and training. However, the efforts of the trainer, Shalane Barker and her team were commended. A special presentation ceremony is planned for the near future. Saturday night Allicock went home with her scooter and McFarlane with her laptop. They will be receiving additional prizes at the ceremony.
