Griffith crowned Queen of Holetown Festival 2017

SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD Shaunice Griffith was crowned Miss Holetown Queen of the Festival 2017, on Sunday night.

Griffith’s competitive spirit and consistency as she competed in the opening, talent, swimwear, evening wear and question and answer segments, satisfied the judges and the crowd, gathered at the Frederick Smith Secondary School, where she defeated five other contestants to come out on top.

The points that placed Griffith at the top were not revealed, however, second place was taken by 18-year-old Tinesha Drayton, while, Kamaria Abbott, 24, walked away with the prizes for third position.

“I am quite excited, it has been a long journey, but it is finally over and I am thankful that I have been successful.

“It has been challenging balancing academics and my personal endeavours, but I got through and now I can see that my hard work has paid off,” a
delighted Griffith, told The Barbados Advocate, moments after her win.

The pageant which is in its 35th year was staged under the theme “From the Olive Blossom To The Pride of Barbados”.

Griffith won the People’s Choice, Miss Personal Style and Miss Punctuality prizes. From the time the winner hit the stage in the opening segment, her diction was on point, as she spoke about her desire to become a criminologist and delivered an overview of her sponsor’s product. The judges did not consider Griffith’s self-penned dramatic piece on whether black lives mattered, the best. However, the queen was on show as she painted a picture of how slavery has been abolished, but blacks seem to be fighting against blacks, finally arriving at the point where she declared that “all lives matter, no matter the race!”

The winner’s gown was not considered the best of the rest either, but Griffith looked confident, striking and radiant, as she confidently carried her “Bearded Fig Tree” piece, designed by Luci Lui Creation.

The striking, retro modified couture, green and brown satin dress which glistened under the lights, was definitely inspired by the blooming tree.

Answering her question appeared to be an easy task for the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, student, who is studying Criminology. She was asked how her choice of career would benefit the country.

Griffith’s precise answer was that she would be better able to understand criminal behaviour and the law, leading to her developing relevant solutions, to help reduce the island’s crime rate and save government from spending large sums to keep the prison system running.

Best Talent was awarded to Drayton whose beautiful voice captivated the audience when she sang an original piece titled, “Speak Out”.

The song was penned by Calypsonian Chrystal Cummins-Beckles, who watched from the audience, as Drayton, without the assistance of a track or instrumental, showed off the versatility of her voice as she ministered to young children about the importance of speaking out about sexual abuse before it destroys their lives forever.

The gown that got the top marks from the judges was worn by 20-year-old Leann Skeete. Skeete’s “Custom Lendable Gown”, was designed by Orlando Williams. The delicate cape sleeves were made of pink chiffon and thousands of glass crystal beads were strategically placed to hug her slender figure. A revealing mermaid silhouette added a modern element to the gown and a fully beaded hem was the perfect addition to Skeete’s Best Gown, as she glided across the stage.

Contestant Kaitlan Marshall won the awards for Most Improved, Miss Amity and Miss Congeniality. Contestant Alicia Lloyd took the prizes for Miss Photogenic and Best Project.

One of the highlights of the pageant was the fact that former queens entertained the audience through drama, dance and song. It was exciting to watch as they delivered a visual journey of Barbados from 1627 until 2017. (AH)