Anica Penn is Little Miss ESPPS! [Photoslide Included]
From the beginning of the show, which was held last evening June 23, 2012 at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall, Contestant # 5, six year-old Anica Penn created an instant impression with her bold and assertive attitude that she continued throughout the pageant. The little beauty also carted off Best Introductory Speech and Best I Am All Grown Up Wear.
As the winners were announced, Anica, who always wore a wide smile, cared less about her two missing temporary teeth, and so did everyone else who attended the show. Like a true model and queen, Anica waved to almost everyone and smiled for every camera.
In a very short interview with Virgin Islands News Online, Anica said she was very happy to have won and was confident she could have done it.
Her mother Amarilis Penn said while she knew Anica was very confident and would have done well. “I am very proud of her,” said the mother. Anica is also the daughter of Clavi Penn.
Mrs. Penn also expressed special thanks to At Large Representative Hon. Archibald Christian and 6th District Representative Hon. Alvera Maduro-Caines, who came to her aid two weeks ago and without them, she said her daughter would not have been in the pageant.
First runner up position went to Contestant # 4 Destiny Roberts who also won the Out of Music category with her talent display while the second runner up went to Dasha Skelton, Contestant #6. Best Tea Party wear went to contestant #8 Shay Vanie Karran.
The other contestants were: Contestant # 1 Neria Griffith, Contestant # 2 Jessica Asika, Contestant # 3 Dia Monea Thomas and Contestant # 7 Tierra Dasilva who all displayed talent and skills throughout the event.
Dubbed a “Wonderland sprinkled with sugar and spice”, the eight contestants all highlighted the theme of the event in their outfits, attitude and style.
I am all grown up
In a segment dubbed “I am all grown up”, the little princesses dressed to represent their future career ambitions.
Neria Griffith decked out in a red and white chef’s outfit topped off with a gold medal as she showcased her future career dream.
Flight attendant Jessica Asika had everything that a flight attendant would carry, but included that professional little hat. As for Dia Monea Thomas, she simulated a helicopter rescue mission. Dia came down from the roof of the building on a rope to complete her rescue as a helicopter rescue swimmer.
The dentist Destiny Roberts was more than equipped for her job with an oversized toothbrush and most interesting was her telephone contact, 494-BRUSH.
For the winner of this segment and pageant winner, Anica showcased just what she wanted to be and the same skills she exhibited throughout the pageant - her modeling ability and her strength of confidence. Anica was on Vogue’s magazine cover and did her modeling like a professional, with no flaws.
Dasha Skelton was an air medic while Tierra marched on as a military officer and Shay Vanie took on a male dominated profession, a sea captain.
Out of Music
The name could have been misleading as many wondered what to expect. It was a section that saw the little girls displaying their talent. Winner of this segment Destiny started off by saying she couldn’t sing nor beat drums but proved that she could dance when she did a mixture of ballet and modern dancing.
One very creative performance came from Dasha Skelton who did a piece on bullying and stated that it is a serious problem in schools that needs to be addressed. She ended her performance with a rendition of the song, “Wipe the tears from your eyes”.
Deria sang “This is me”, Jessica “You raised me up”, while Dia did a performance at the Apollo with the Congo, singing and dancing.
Anica in this segment, danced her way back to school in her performance while Tierra did a dance and Shay Vanie played the piano and dance.
Tea Party Segment
In this segment, the little contestants had to follow strict guidelines regarding skin exposure and to ensure that the pageant maintained high standards.
All the little princesses wore very fashionable dresses and one of the requirements for this segment was to wear a hat and gloves. The hats came in all sizes, fashion and style, from Victorian to the more modern runway styles.
The show itself could not have gotten any better, with a packed audience including government ministers and representatives, showing support for all the contestants.
Chairing the night’s proceeding were Lorne Green and Karia Christopher.
During the show, past winners of the pageant were also recognised, including the first winner Linda Andrews. A parade of hats was also done by past and present teachers of the school.
Apart from the naming of the winner, the night’s performance was topped with another noteworthy event, the serenading of the contestants by a young man Amoi Williams who wowed the crowd with his melodious singing.
Principal of the ESPPS Valeria Welsh said she is proud of her the contestants who had only one month to practice. Ms. Welsh disclosed that some of the kids were introverts but after practice some of them were all coming out of their shells. She disclosed that Anica was the last contestant to enter the pageant because she was ill.
The principal explained that the pageant started in 1989 even before the Prince and Princess pageant which began after the ESPPS pageant was stopped for several years. Asked if this is the sign of continuation, Ms. Welsh said, “It’s a legacy with a rebirth”.
She said the school continues to stress that it is not a beauty show but provides an opportunity for the kids to grow and develop a level of intelligence and diligence. She took the opportunity to thank all those who were involved in the organising of the event including the school’s Parent Teachers’ Association and its President Derecia Thomas and Michelle Phillip, staff of the school along with the Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron Walwyn.
She also expressed thanks to the school’s adopters the Social Security Board and the Enid Scatliffe family, the other members of the House of Assembly, the decorators headed by Amorette Davies, Royston Percival and choreographer Isis Daniel.
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