The early onset of political campaigning for the 2015 general election, and the current arrangements for this year’s summer festival, appear to be competing for attention as another popular carnival event has been announced. That event, at the Anguilla Great House on Monday evening, May 12, was the introduction of five of the six contestants for the 2014 Miss Summer Swimsuit competition. The competition is scheduled to be held at the Landsome Bowl Cultural Centre on July 30.
The introduction of the contestants was done by Jordiana Dwarpaul. The contestants are Julisha Connor, Amasha Richard, Natasha Hodge, Shara Hodge, Cassilda Thomas-Carty and Di-Maria Leigh-Ann Bryan (who was absent). Miss Dwarpaul, who won last year’s competition in three of the four segments, and was declared the overall winner, said she was looking forward to an exciting contest.
According to her, the competition will include such appearances as Miss Photogenic, Miss Congeniality, Speech presentations, three segments of swimsuits and the best beach wraps.
The contestants and their chaperons, and members of the Swimsuit Competition Committee, were welcomed by the Hon Jerome Roberts, the Minister responsible for culture.
“I take this opportunity, first of all, to congratulate the organising committee for arranging this event,” Mr Roberts stated. “It is important that we start early because it gives everyone a great opportunity to arrange a wonderful 40th anniversary carnival celebration this year. I congratulate the contestants for taking this bold step to come forward – not just to be part of the competition, but to make your contribution in swimwear to culture in Anguilla. For that I must commend you. You have at least a few months to prepare well for the occasion.”
“I also want to commend the chaperons who are working with you. They are just as important as you, the contestants, because, in judging you, they will judge those who were your chaperons. I wish again to commend all the six young ladies and to wish you all the best in the upcoming swimsuit competition.”
Ms Cleonette Lake, Chairperson for the show, said that in the past the competition had attracted a large audience. “I think these lovely young ladies will put [the show] on a higher level this year,” she added.