By Abigail Headley
On Saturday night Hayma Singh, Vanessa Bowman, and Govita Henry along with their daughters Madeline, Izegbuwa, and Eleesha were crowned the winners of the Junior, Middle, and Senior categories respectively of the 31st annual Mother and Daughter Pageant.
The theme for this year’s pageant was ‘Timeless Love’ and it was indeed a love that could not be restricted by time, displayed by the 22 pairs of contestants who took to the stage of the National Cultural Centre (NCC). Though they all put their best dresses and feet forward, not everyone could emerge winners.
As the Junior Category contestants made their appearance, the first to grace the stage were Desiree George and the adorable Jhené in their royal blue ensembles. They were followed by Deneita Fredericks and a sassy Athena in bright yellow adorned with flowers of different colours. Next came Sheina Carter and Katalina, Hayma Singh and Madeline, Shakima Vyfhuis and Xamiera, Alicia Benjamin and Avia, and, finally, Destini Tasher and Keren.
While each of the pairs received their fair share of cheers from the audience for their displays of love as they appeared dressed for their fairytale parties, Benjamin and Tasher with their daughters appeared to be the favourites. There were exclamations of shock and disapproval as they secured second and first runners-up positions while Singh and Madeline won. As the pair made their way off the stage after being crowned, the NCC erupted with boos as the crowd showed their displeasure at the judges’ decision.
The Middle Category appeared to have been a disappointment as the outfits of most of the contestants were not as eye-catching as those in the Junior Category. As with most things in the middle, not much attention was paid to them nor were there many cheers as the contestants made their appearances. However, the judges paid rapt attention, and the emerging first and second runners-up were Lovisa DaSilva and Dacian and Kenisha Lewis and Renesa. This selection and that of the Bowmans as winners seemed satisfactory as there were no objections.
Finally came the long-anticipated Senior Category where contestants in their lovely evening gowns did their best at portraying timeless love to each other. As the pairs traversed the stage, some were serenaded by a live band while others gracefully acted out their choreography to their selected songs.
From the cheers that were heard, the crowd favourites were Joyce Carter and her daughter Anisa, Simone Roberts and Kenita, Odessa DeBarros and Jada, Pauline Gibson and Keenan, and Govita Henry and Eleesha. Though the competition seemed to be very stiff, the judges eventually chose Henry and Eleesha as the winners while DeBarros and her daughter and Gibson and hers were the first and second runners-up respectively.
Given the theme of this year’s pageant, patrons were treated to brief onstage appearances of four generations of mothers and daughters, with the eldest of the quartet being 90 years old. Additionally, four pairs of past winners graced the stage as the memories of their winnings were recorded on screen.
The crowned winners in the Igloo-sponsored Junior Category and the Libresse/Bigelow Middle Category each received, among other prizes, return tickets to the United States and dinner for two at Amici Restaurant. Meanwhile, among the winnings for the KFC Senior Category were dinner for two at Amici, a one-night stay for two at Ramada Princess (including breakfast), a bottle of wine from Bistro Café, and a beauty package from Kevin’s Reflections valued at $75,000.
