tidings
Kinnesha Gjergji
Amaiya Yeates still can’t believe she won the 2024 edition of Tobago Heritage Personality.
At the show, at the Shaw Park Complex on July 11, Yeates, representing Les Coteaux Close Connection Cultural Club and Les Coteaux Community, beat six other contestants to take the title.
Yeates, 22, who is in the final year of her theater arts degree at UWI, St Augustine, spoke to Newsday on July 15.
“Honestly, no matter how many people were rooting for me that I would have won, and I knew that I had all the qualities and talents to win this competition, it felt surreal and it still feels like a dream. I feel happy, proud and relieved that the sleepless nights and long extended days in preparation were not in vain.”
She said it had been one of her mother’s dreams to compete in the show, “And I was able to achieve her dream and follow in her footsteps to win another pageant queen.
“Also, I am delighted that during my reign as Queen, I would take this opportunity to introduce some of my ideas to my community of Les Coteaux and Tobago in the future.”
She said walking away with the title was a surprise, though: “In competition you have to try your best to be consistent or place high in all categories so your scores are high all the time, and I know I have achieved this. She said her support system going into the pageant was strong.
“First, God: without him nothing is possible.”
Many people supported her, she said, but: “There were two driving forces behind this victory. My mother, Ms. Giselle Donaldson-Yeates, my role model – her creativity and drive are one of the reasons I am so successful, not only in this pageant but in life. I am my mother’s child…I have many of her qualities – creative, dramatic, competitive, a people person and very outgoing.
“Also, Ms. Rayshawn Pierre Kerr, my talented writer and director – she gave her time and energy tirelessly in preparation for this competition.”
She said the nights before the show were long without sleep.
“We went from general rehearsals for the talent, wearing the dress and rehearsals to portray the dress. I was really tired and worn out, but thankfully I enjoyed it and enjoyed what I was doing.”
She also won for Best Dressed Portrayal and People’s Choice.
“The dress was designed and built by Ronald Guy James from Trinidad. I represented the Orisha goddess of the river and oceans, Yemoja.
“The inspiration for the dress came when my mum told him she wanted me to look like I was swimming in water, so he put pen to paper and made our vision come to life. We are truly grateful for his brilliance and creativity.”
Next on her agenda, she would like to do a masters in marketing as well as a degree in special effects makeup.
Her prize is $10,000 in cash, as well as a $25,000 scholarship.
Her mother, a teacher at Scarborough Methodist Primary School, said her stomach did somersaults when she heard the results.
“The competition was high, as I felt all the girls were talented and intelligent, so we had to bring our A-plus-plus game. We left no stone unturned and I took all the best in each category to do the best job.
“I am very proud and humbled. My heart is filled with philosophical joy as I also feel so accomplished as I have won many other queen and personality shows but never had the opportunity to enter this pageant as I have always been older than the requirement of age. So sending Amaiya to participate in this competition was always my dream.
“This is a great achievement for Amaiya as her name has gone down in Tobago history as Miss Heritage Personality 2024. I am and will always continue to be her number one supporter.”
In second place was Klavier Simpson, representing Rhythmic Vibrations. Simpson also took home the titles of Best Talent and Miss Intelligent. Kina McMillan of Betsy’s Hope took third place and Miss Photogenic. McMillan’s gown, designed by Shakeil Jones, won best design. Senika Ceasar of Concordia/ Mason Hall was awarded Miss Amity.
