Intelligence the key factor in pageantry – Sharie B. deCastro
That was the advice of the recently crowned queen of the Miss Caribbean World Pageant Ms Sharie B. deCastro. The pageant was held Saturday evening, May 4, 2013 at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex. Miss BVI Sharie de Castro also walked away with the prizes for Best Poise, Miss Intellect, Best Talent, Best Evening Wear and she tied with Miss Dominica for best Swim Wear.
Ms deCastro heads off to St Vincent and the Grenadines during the last week in June 2013 where she will be chasing the crown of Miss Carival 2013. On that stage it will be a new experience for the queen of all queens of the Virgin Islands as she said it will be a totally different ball game. “It’s going to be a totally different level playing field as there are different rules and expectations for this particular pageant.” Ms deCastro is confident, none-the-less, that she has what it takes and will do her best to bring the crown home.
“Miss Caribbean World was my first pageant since Miss BVI and it was hard work this time around because for Miss BVI I was on Summer vacation form teaching. Therefore I did not have to balance work and pageant practice. This one was a lot more difficult in that sense, so time management was very important in insuring that I had a balance with work and practice in order to represent the BVI well.”
The talent segment was the most comfortable time on stage for the two-time queen of the Vigin Islands, as she said it’s the single time when she gets to express her true self. “It’s the time I can get to be me, Sharie, forget the pageantry, the make-up and all that kind of stuff, I just get to be me, the poet, this is my way of expressing truth.”
Her choice of talent was no surprise as poetry is indeed her life’s passion and in this instance she wanted to do something that would have resonated with women. “I wanted women to know of their importance, their value, their worth." The words and messages in her poetry was not just a message for the women of the Virgin Islands but it was directed to Caribbean women on a whole, to help them to understand that they are all queens. “We are all queens and we should challenge men...to invest sense in their vocabulary."
She was particularly pointing to the metaphorically constant use of the word “Dimes” which refers to women being dimes; spare change. “If we look at the history behind the use of that word, dime a dozen, we understand that it means cheap and it means that you are not really worth as much as you should be. And so we as women need not buy into those stigmas and what I believe to be demeaning ways by which men speak of us. We ought to demand respect and make those men see us for who we are, queens.”
According to the Miss Caribbean World 2013 Sharie B. deCastro, she knew that her message would not have gone through with the intended impact as it did had she not put it together the way she did, with some drama, elocution and music. “I know that I couldn’t just stand up there and speak.” she said.
From the time of the delegates’ arrival in the Virgin Islands, they were all required to camp in at the Moorings where they stayed together as a family until the day following the pageant. For Miss BVI it was a challenge managing between being the host and at the same time maintaining the competitive edge. She said that what made it even more challenging was the fact that there were not opportunities to assess her competitors as they did not get to see each other practice or perform. “But of course I did my homework, so I had a fair concept of who they were.” Her roommate was Miss US Virgin Islands Cliaunjel Williams.
She said that while on stage she did feel connected with her supporters who were in the audience and one of the big things for her that night was the presence of some members of the House of Assembly. She said that she clearly saw the Honourable Alvera Maduro-Caines and her friends, Honorable Ronnie W. Skelton and Archibald C. Christian and their wives. “They were there in the front and I mean they were really cheering and so I want to say a big shout out to the Honourable Alvera Madura Canes, Honourable Ronnie Skelton, Honourable Archibald Christian and their wives. It was amazing to see what I believe to be some of the highest, well influenced people in the community coming there and cheering for Miss BVI. I also want to mention Honourable Andrew Fahie, Honorable Myron Walwyn and Honorable Marlon Penn for their financial support and encouragement to go out there and do my best as well. That right there was a defining moment for me.”
Ms deCastro was also high in praise to the members of the Elmore Stoutt High School as they, under the leadership of Ms Elicia Todman, held the fort for her in ensuring that her students were not made to lose during the week that she was away from school. “I am really grateful for that because I never would want the students to lose because of me and they were taken care of to the fullest as if I was right there.”
From a heart of gratitude she would also like to thank her sponsors. “I would like to say a special thank you to my sponsors and contributors: Virgin Islands Festivals and Fairs Committee, Hon. Andrew Fahie, Hon. Myron Walwyn, Caribbean Security Ltd., Larry Adams Construction, Lambert Beach Resort. Also to A Cut Above for being the hair sponsor for my Miss BVI reign, especially my hairdresser Elizabeth Hogan. Also many thanks to my makeup artists Kassandra Malone and Gilda Richardson. Special thank you to Brent Hoyte, Mrs Nadia Winter, my prop designer Trevor Miller, One Stop Mall, Jermaine Smith, John Black, Marvin Blyden, Magarita Black, UMI Fashions and the New Life Baptist Church. To the students, teachers, staff and administration of the Elmore Stoutt High School, especially Mrs. Elicia Todman and the English Department, your support is very much appreciated. I would also like to express my gratitude to the amazing Carlos Alberto of Puerto Rico, who was responsible for making the Best Evening wear & Best Swimwear. To Ms Hamm & the entire committee thank you for organizing and executing an amazing pageant. A heartfelt thank you to my chaperones Damion Grange and Charisse Thomas for their commitment & hard work. Also to my amazing support system my mom & dad Violet & Arthur deCastro, family, friends & the entire BVI, I express sincere thanks for your continued encouragement, prayers and support throughout my journey."
Her victory was dedicated to the life, love & legacy of her closest friend, inspiration, hero, guardian angel, Cheri Malvern, who taught her to have the strength that won't quit.
And as illustrated on stage, this part of her poem she leaves to sink deep into the hearts of ALL women.
25 Responses to “Intelligence the key factor in pageantry – Sharie B. deCastro”
Congrats Cous. I am so proud of you. I will follow you to SVG.
You are filled with hate for Sharie for whatever reason, and that hate WILL consume you. No matter what venom you spit out, you cannot and will not stop Sharie because she has HIGH SELF ESTEEM and will continue to be Sharie; not what a hater coward like you behind blogs is saying. Peace, be still!!