UPDATE: ‘There was a lot of pressure’- Miss Senior ESHS Mya A. Walwyn
“It feels great, I didn’t go into the pageant thinking I would win, but I went into the pageant with enough confidence that no matter what happens I would come out shining,” Miss Senior ESHS Walwyn told members of the media shortly after being crowned.
On the other hand, Mr Senior ESHS James said, “I did,” when asked if he expected to win. “I didn’t really do it for the win, I did it for my grandma. I’m just happy it is over with, it was a good experience. I didn’t do it for the fame or anything like that.”
Awards
Walwyn grabbed awards for the Queen of Social Media, Most Photogenic, Best Poised, Miss Intellect, Most School Spirit, and Best Evening Wear.
James took the awards for Most Dapper, King of Social Media, Determined to Succeed, Most Poised, Mr Intellectual and Most School Spirit.
First runner-up went to Kayla Grant who took awards for Miss Congeniality and Best Talent. Jerely Jean-Jacques took the second runner-up position.
Other contestants vying for the Miss Senior ESHS Pageant were Kyrah Maduro, who was awarded the Determined to Succeed award and Shiann George, who took the award for Miss Personal Development.
In the Mr ESHS contest, Mareq Romney won Mr Congeniality and Most Photogenic and Joshua Langford swept Best Talent, and Mr Personal Development awards.
Kendi Vanterpool pulled out of the competition due to “important issues to deal with,” our sources revealed.
‘I thought of pulling out’
According to James, due to the recent loss of his grandmother, he was thinking of pulling out of the competition, but he persevered.
“I was actually thinking of quitting,” he said. “And I imagined my grandmother next to me and saying to me ‘boy do the thing, don’t do it for me, do it for you’ and that’s what I did.”
Calden Claus makes big donation to ESHS
James, during his talent piece, came out decked in his Santa outfit and using the name Calden Claus, donated a Flat screen television valued about $500, an Air Conditioning Unit ($16), a microwave ($150), a high back office chair ($200), and three packs of paper valued $300 to his school, saying that he did not want to leave his school the same way he met it.
“Santa Claus didn’t remember ESHS for Christmas so there was a new Calden Claus and he wanted to surprise ESHS to show that they weren't forgotten and give them something that they would remember. It wasn’t for the points but it was to give to the school. They were really donated.”
According to him, it was sending a message to the powers that be to understand what is going on, without elaborating more on what exactly was going on.
Encourages young men to participate in pageants
James, who is shooting to become a professional recording artist and a mechanical engineer, remarked that there are several benefits to taking part in a pageant, and encouraged both males and females to participate.
“It shows you how to be grammatically correct, it shows you good posture, respect, how to be on time. Next year it is open to 10, 11, and 12th Graders, so I would tell them to do what you have to do; anything is possible. Reach for your dreams. Nobody can tell you stop,” he pointed out.
Walwyn felt pressured
Walwyn said the pressure of being the daughter of the Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn (AL) was no easy feat; however, she said her dad was very supportive and told her that he would be proud of her regardless of what happened.
“There was a lot of pressure,” she revealed, saying that many perceived that she was going to win because she is Hon Walwyn’s daughter.
“But, being in a pageant, I was taught to block out what everybody else had to say and to just push forward.”
Mya A. Walwyn aims to be an entrepreneur someday and intends to pursue Management Studies in the United States.
See previous article published January 21, 2017
James & Walwyn crowned Mr & Miss Senior ESHS 2017
Calden James and Mya Walwyn have emerged as the top contestants of the Mister and Miss Senior Elmore Stoutt High School Pageant 2017, held this evening, January 21, 2017 at Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall in Road Town, Tortola.
The pageant was a historic staging as it featured the territory’s first batch of students of the Twelfth Grade.
James, a Top 4 GenY Factor finalist, received the judges’ nod for the crown ahead of his fellow male contestants Mareq Romney and Joshua Langford.
Walwyn, the daughter of Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn, saw off competition from Kayla Grant, Shiann George, Kyrah Maduro and Jerely Jean-Jacques.
All contestants were judged based on their presentations in Introduction Speech, Talent, Evening Wear, Interview and a new segment, Spirit in Me.
More details to follow.
55 Responses to “UPDATE: ‘There was a lot of pressure’- Miss Senior ESHS Mya A. Walwyn”
It really is not easy being on a stage in front of a whole lot of people who just waiting for you to mess up.
related why was this allowed in the show?
You can never have anything that is fair. Everyone is going to support someone different and talk about "cheating" because they expected their contestant to win. It's the judges decision that matters, and the judges will see something different in each contestant than what regular spectators will see. So why stop a show that other people enjoy watching, that benefits the contestants, and displays school pride?
Secondly, it seems the level of talent and stage performance in the BVI has risen tremendously over the years. It would be great if we had all the facilities and technical support to really allow these young people to reach their full potential in the performing arts. As Ms Rubaine said last night, when we were coming up, we didn't have what these young people have now. However, it always feels like we are just steps away from being our best in artistic expression, and that the needed support is always less than necessary for superlative presentations. This is unfortunate.
Thirdly, I do agree that while our young people have achieved great strides with their performance abilities, I also agree with the comments about the music allowed. In my opinion, some of the dancing and outfits were a little too "lit" for the age of the girls performing (generally) and after a while, I began to wonder where the originality was as far as the dance moves.
Fourthly, I am a little concerned about the "gifting" that took place during the talent segment of one of the contestants. While I realise the struggle of the administration and teachers of the school is real, and while it warmed my heart that the young man was conscientious enough to obtain assistance from his sponsors to give so generously to the school, I believe the gifting could have been done in another setting to avoid any questionable appearances. To me, the gifting at another time would have achieved the same effect and may have even gone further in inspiring other students to rise to the occasion and give back.
Lastly, thank you to the faculty, staff and students of the ESHS for the continued efforts to put on this fundraiser for the school. It is unfortunate that despite the support given to this annual event, the school still struggles for funding and resources. Perhaps it is because of this that the pageant continues to get better each year. Please, where possible, make some adjustments so more originality is encouraged and the family friendliness of the show is preserved.
things that people have to say. let them talk, they have nothing better to do.