STUDENTS MATTHEW CARRINGTON and Nicola Badenock created history last Saturday night when they were crowned king and queen respectively of the first ever Mr and Miss St James secondary school pageant.
The pageant, which was themed Restoring the Pride, included nine contestants who all placed their best foot forward to not only create entertainment for the audience who packed the school’s auditorium, but also to indulge in a fierce but friendly fight as they competed in four categories.
But, the judges’ decision showed that 15-year-old Badenock and 16-year-old Carrington had the necessary requirements to sit on the thrones.
Carrington, who wore a vintage suit designed by Ebony Models, was awarded Best Formal Wear. He also captured the trophy for Most Improved Male. Meanwhile, the queen also took home the trophy for Best Casual Wear.
While all of the contestants delivered excellent performances during the talent segment of the pageant, first runner-up female, Deandra Williams and her Life Is Not A Fairy Tale dramatic piece was at the top of the game, causing her to capture the Best Talent Award.
In this humorous but serious piece, Williams and her live props explained why the name of her piece was no fairy tale as they highlighted some of the challenges the Barbadian society, especially the youth, faced, on a daily basis.
When one of Williams’ props scolded her adolescent daughter for getting pregnant and the daughter replied “mummy you pregnant too”, the audience laughed.
But silence came across the auditorium when Williams pointed out some of the diseases and sicknesses people caught when they engaged in unprotected sex.
Kadeem Brewster, who placed second, also walked away with the prize for Best Casual (male). Most Improved Female was given to Shakaira Burnett while Georgiana Gibson walked away with the trophy for Best Formal Wear (female).
When the contestants were not on stage, the audience was entertained through dance and music. Included in the professional lineup were singers Peter Ram, Buggy and the newly-formed Soca Kartel group, who rocked the crowd with some of their popular hits.(AH)
