22nd Annual Ms. Beauty Pageant Caribbean US was back in full force last Sunday at the Martin Luther King High School auditorium in Philadelphia.
This year, the pageant added a category of Ms. Teen Caribbean US.
Competitors in the category of Mrs. The Caribbean were: Shanece Morgan representing St.
In the new Teen category, Jolie Curbin represented St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Juana Acevedo represented the Dominican Republic, and Siani Green and Tinayah Greene represented the U.S. Yes, there is always an American candidate in the Ms. America pageant. Caribbean.
The first part of the pageant was a cultural presentation by each contestant, dressed in either a traditional costume or a costume bearing the colors of their country’s flag. They introduced the public to their country through vivid descriptions of beaches, food, folk dances, music and people. This was followed by the swimwear, talent and evening gown segments.
We have to give Shanece Morgan’s supporters their support. A third of the people who attended the pageant wore green t-shirts with her name on them. They were an enthusiastic bunch who cheered their candidate on every time she took the stage. There was no mistaking who they came out for.
We spoke to Sheila Morgan, Shanece’s mother, who made it clear she was rooting for everyone. “Some of the girls had no one to support them,” she said. “All the girls did well. Everyone helped each other. I was there making sure everyone was okay, that they were okay. Only at the end was I cheering loudly for my daughter.” Morgan said the contestants referred to her as the pageant mom.
Keith Morgan, Shanece’s uncle, said this was the first pageant he had ever been to. “It was a positive event,” he said. “The girls enjoyed themselves and got along well. The audience had a good time. No matter what country you are from, we are all one big family. … I enjoyed the whole show.”
We saved the best part for last. Everything that happened during the evening led to the crowning of Yasan Chang (Miss Jamaica) as Mrs. Caribbean in the USA and Jolie Curbin (Miss St. Vincent and the Grenadines) as Mrs. Caribbean Teen US They were thrilled to accept the titles.
Aron Chang, Yasan Chang’s mother, said entering the pageant was exciting for her family, but also nerve-wracking because entering was a sudden decision. “Actually, we had no idea there was a Miss Caribbean pageant,” she said. “My daughter was approached by stylist Rose of Kylie Rose designs, who informed Yasan about the competition. Rose was made aware of the competition after being approached by the association to sponsor the contestants. My daughter made the decision to enter the contest because of the opportunity the platform would provide. Her goal is to advocate for positive change and empower change among the younger generation.”
Ultimately, Yasan said she wants to teach people how to take care of themselves physically, mentally and spiritually. In essence, self-improvement is caring for the environment because inner growth is transformed externally.
Yasan attends the Community College of Philadelphia and will transfer to Eastern University in the spring. She said her major is environmental science because she wants to be a scientist in that field. Ideally, she would like to advocate for the implementation of social structures that promote sustainability and environmental preservation. She said she is grateful for the opportunity to serve and influence positive change.
Teen winner Jolie Curbin, 13, is an eighth-grade honor roll student and novice figure skater. She is a passionate fashion and music enthusiast.
Petrikah Hope, her mother, said she was overwhelmed when her daughter won the title. “It was hard work, but Jolie wanted to do it,” she said. “She was really excited and happy. She said, ‘I did it mom.’ This was her first competition.”
Kimberly Richards, Claudia Morris and Shaffiqua Matthew, family and friends were all there to support Jolie. Matthew said it was refreshing to see girls of different cultures working so well together in a competition.
First runner-up in the Miss category was Raena Lebourne and first runner-up in the Teen category was Teniyah Green.
We congratulate Yolanda Wallace, founder/CEO, and Denise Pavlin, president of the Miss Caribbean US Beauty Pageant, on a job well done. We look forward to the 23rd Annual Contest.
