Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Miss World BVI was denied scholarship under NDP Gov't

- said it's nothing personal but wishes to change VI's perception towards Performing Arts
From left: Minister for Minister for Education, Culture, Agriculture, Fisheries, Sports, and Youth Affairs, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7); Miss World BVI 2019/20 Rikkiya A.R. Brathwaite; Junior Minister for Tourism, Hon Shereen D. Flax-Charles (AL)and Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9). Photo: Team of Reporters
Ms Rikkiya A. R. Brathwaite, a 22-Year-old indigenous Virgin Islander, was crowned the 2019/2020 Miss World BVI at Scrub Island on August 31, 2019. Photo: Facebook
Ms Rikkiya A. R. Brathwaite, a 22-Year-old indigenous Virgin Islander, was crowned the 2019/2020 Miss World BVI at Scrub Island on August 31, 2019. Photo: Facebook
Performing arts refers to forms of art in which artists use their voices, bodies or inanimate objects to convey artistic expression. Photo: Wikipedia
Performing arts refers to forms of art in which artists use their voices, bodies or inanimate objects to convey artistic expression. Photo: Wikipedia
SCRUB ISLAND, VI- Turned down for a government scholarship to study in the Performing Arts field, Rikkiya A. R. Brathwaite leaned on the pockets of her parents and pursued her dreams.

Now crowned Miss World BVI 2019/20, Rikkiya endeavours to be a catalyst for the fine arts to be introduced in Virgin Islands schools and to also use her platform to raise funds to assist persons desirous of pursuing the art form.

Denied Gov’t scholarship under NDP Gov’t

Immediately after being fitted with the Mi Amor crown, Rikkiya told those present at the Scrub Island Resort on August 31, 2019 that she chose a platform which she thought lacked the most support, the Performing Arts, an area she holds dear to her heart and wished to share with the territory.

Performing arts refers to forms of art in which artists use their voices, bodies or inanimate objects to convey artistic expression.

“As a part of my journey I wish to contribute in the meaningful development of the fine arts in the British Virgin Islands both through the schools’ curriculum and the community at large. I do understand that I was born and raised in the British Virgin Islands and not in a larger, more diverse country; however, along with persons residing in the BVI, I believe that there isn’t a Performing Arts atmosphere saturating our home that is sufficient enough for the youths who aspire to be artist to be encouraged.”

Rikkiya said she was turned down when she had applied to the previous National Democratic Party (NDP) government for a student scholarship to study in the Performing Arts field. “Reasons being, the Arts were not a priority career for the fund.”

She hastened to say though, “It is not personal I would imagine, it’s just where we are in our journey.” The young woman added that the VI society is specifically trained to encourage a few areas of careers such as “Doctors, lawyers, teachers, engineers and other traditional careers that cater more to the financial and tourism sectors.”

She; however, stated, “While all these careers are important to our thriving economy, I believe if a country is to thrive socially as well as economically, there should be serious efforts to improve our arts infrastructure in the British Virgin Islands.”

A living testament

Rikkiya sees herself as a living testament of an artist who was stifled by her VI school curriculum and the territory due to the lack of attention and exposure to the Performing Arts. She was later granted the fortune, however, of having supportive parents who afforded the opportunity to pursue her passion.

Today Rikkiya is the holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts and was recently signed by a management company in New York, “This agency will manage my career and I will audition for Broadway shows, movies, television series programmes and big screen films.”

She told those present at the coronation ceremony that before moving to the USA to pursue her dream, she aspired to begin spreading the sense of freedom and motivation for artists residing in the territory. “I am to assist by expanding efforts to create a greater presence of the arts within the school curriculum and the wider territory.”

Fundraising will be done to support students who wish to pursue educational avenues that cater to the Performing Arts but are unable to afford the costs on their own.

“I truly subscribe to the reality that beauty does indeed have a purpose and as your Miss World British Virgin Islands 2019, I will endeavour mainly to make an effort to the fine arts in our community.”

Among those present at the coronation were Minister for Minister for Education, Culture, Agriculture, Fisheries, Sports, and Youth Affairs, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7); Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) and Junior Minister for Tourism, Hon Shereen D. Flax-Charles (AL).

9 Responses to “Miss World BVI was denied scholarship under NDP Gov't”

  • Vision (02/09/2019, 10:43) Like (5) Dislike (23) Reply
    Where there is no vision the people perish. That's NDP 4 ya
  • Hyped (02/09/2019, 10:45) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    Congrats Rikkiya. You will do an awesome job.
  • ndp (02/09/2019, 10:46) Like (8) Dislike (15) Reply
    every set back a set up for success, so she still has to thank the NDP. drops mic
  • Query (02/09/2019, 16:31) Like (26) Dislike (0) Reply
    Are the Miss World stuff only for certain 'elites' or is the rest of the public too low to receive information. I never heard of a pageant or competition. are the queens selected? I remember the same thing when the Mrs. World came out. I am part of the public whose business they knock on seeking donations for these things. My take is, if its a secrete competition, then it should be a secret funding and leave those of us who youall didn't think are worthy enough alone
    • Hmm (02/09/2019, 22:46) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Good question. The other question is why do you people follow self crafted images others put on themselves. How they come elite? Who don't know will wonder or at least fall for those traps.
  • Pastor hyne (02/09/2019, 17:23) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    So now it is a pick and choose for crown without competition???????

    Don’t get me wrong she beautiful and intelligent but I like a good competition than a pick up.
  • ... (02/09/2019, 21:01) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply

    M*ron was a sick man he killed the BVI and I hope he is never back..sick out of touch selfish man

    • @ ... (02/09/2019, 21:57) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      he funny man must have been wicked her mother was an NDP before she moved to Ronnie
  • tola (03/09/2019, 15:37) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    you all just sickening!!


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.