The Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School (ALHCS) closed out Science Week 2026 in style on Saturday, 31st January 2026, with its “Trash to Trashion” Eco Pageant and Science Week Awards Ceremony – an evening where discarded materials were transformed into fashionable pieces and science took centre stage. The pageant and ceremony brought together students, teachers, parents, sponsors and invited guests for a programme that blended environmental awareness, scientific inquiry and unapologetic creativity.
Delivering the welcome remarks, Mrs. Rita Celestine-Carty, speaking on behalf of the Department of Education, commended the leadership, staff and students of the ALHCS Science Department for what she described as “an interesting, intriguing, and fulfilling Science Week 2026”. She praised not only the winners, but all participants across the Science Fair Exhibition, the Réchauffé Culinary Competition, the Interhouse Science Quiz and the Eco Pageant, noting that they had “engaged in the systematic study of the natural world through observation, experimentation, and evidence-based reasoning, and applied their conclusions with creativity and innovative skill.”
Reflecting on the week’s theme, Mrs. Carty said it challenged participants to rethink waste and reuse materials innovatively for the sustainability of the planet. “Our curiosity has certainly been ignited,” she said, adding that the activities demonstrated how trash could be transformed into something meaningful, purposeful and inspiring. Strong support also came from the private sector, with a representative of Belmond Cap Juluca addressing the audience on behalf of the luxury resort – highlighting the natural alignment between Science Week and Cap Juluca’s own commitment to innovation and sustainability.
The Eco Pageant featured three confident and articulate contestants: 15-year-old Ronnasha Cambridge, 14-year-old Gimel Halley and 14-year-old Mickesha Masicot. Each brought personality, purpose and a clear environmental message to the stage during their opening speeches, introducing themselves not only as contestants but as young people shaped by science, creativity and ambition. From Cambridge’s call to mitigate negative environmental impacts, to Halley’s chemistry-inspired vision for entrepreneurship in the beauty industry, and Masicot’s direct appeal to “make it do, or do without”, the speeches set a thoughtful tone for the competition.
The fashion segments showcased remarkable ingenuity. In the plastic category, elegance met environmental consciousness as Ronnasha Cambridge modelled a black and white gown reminiscent of a tulle prom dress, Gimel Halley stunned in black and green plastic trash bags styled into a sophisticated drop-waist silhouette, and Mickesha Masicot continued the theme of glamour with a gold and black plastic gown. The paper category proved equally compelling, with newspapers taking on a starring role. Both Cambridge and Masicot demonstrated that paper could be reshaped far beyond its usual lifespan, while Halley impressed in a gown crafted from what appeared to be paper plates or cupcake holders, transformed into a cohesive and refined design.
The revamped fashion category allowed contestants to showcase and explain the process behind their designs, reinforcing the practical message of reuse. Cambridge described converting ordinary t-shirts into a skirt and top, emphasising that “you can make your own fashion”. Halley detailed how a plain black dress became a fishtail gown through cutting, layering, ribbons and gemstones, while Masicot explained how she deconstructed an existing dress and t-shirt to create a new crop top and skirt accented with bows.
Teachers took the stage in their own eco-fashion segment, drawing enthusiastic applause. Ms. Theona Park wowed the audience in a bold and elaborate ensemble made largely from old newspapers and jeans, complete with a matching hat, umbrella and a handbag crafted from recycled CDs. Ms. Janet Lake dazzled in an elegant gown constructed from black trash bags, embellished with paper flowers and a belt fashioned from magazine pages and labels. Mrs. T’arah Edwards delivered a dramatic moment, first appearing in a simple newspaper and trash-bag outfit before briefly exiting the stage, only to return transformed in a striking mermaid gown made from recycled newspapers and trash bags, accessorised with a newspaper hat and a clutch made from old jeans.
Judging the pageant were the Honourable Minister Shellya Rogers-Webster; Mrs. Trevreen Queeley-Brown, Head of the Theatre Arts Department at the ALHCS; and Ms. Telica Mussington, Water Engineer at the Department of Water Services, Government of Anguilla. After careful deliberation – judging based on creativity, styling, confidence, communication – student honours went to Ronnasha Cambridge in first place, Gimel Halley in second place and Mickesha Masicot in third place. In the teachers’ category, first place was awarded to Ms. Theona Park, followed by Mrs. T’arah Edwards in second and Ms. Janet Lake in third.
Beyond the pageant, the evening also recognised excellence across Science Week’s academic competitions. Science Fair winners were announced across Forms, with first-place projects including “Bio Plastics” by Eiolani Mairyshaw and Ciara Torres in Third Form, “Electrolyte Challenge: Orange Juice vs Sports Drinks” by Cael Smith in Fourth Form, “The Effect of Lights on Insects” by Gavani Richardson Brown, Malia Richardson, D’dray Neckles and Christen Fleming in Fifth Form, and “Genetic Basis for Lactose Intolerance” by Onetta Mitchell and Yazel Simon in Sixth Form. The Best Overall awards went to the Bio Plastics project by Mairyshaw and Torres, and the Electrolyte Challenge by Smith.
Winners of the Réchauffé Cooking Competition were also celebrated, with first place going to Dejonelle Christmas and Zariah Roach for their burrito bowl, second place to Jahmai Gumbs and Kory Morancie for crispy rice with teriyaki chicken and rice pudding with caramelised bananas, and third place to Caiden Lake and Akeelah Smith for their chicken burrito.
One of the most emotional moments of the night came when Mrs. Mary Smith, Head of the Science Department, was presented with a token of appreciation for her dedication, leadership and 30 years of service as a teacher. Visibly moved, she was embraced and applauded by colleagues and students alike, a fitting tribute at the close of a week she helped shape.
As the curtains fell on Science Week 2026, the “Trash to Trashion” Eco Pageant showed that science, when paired with imagination and purpose, has the power not only to explain the world, but to change how we live in it.
By Janissa Fleming
