Antigua and Barbuda: Antigua’s Carnival, an annual contest was concluded with the Mr and Miss Teenage Pageant 2024. The countrywide participants showcased talent and poise, also awareness on environment was the aim of the event.
After several rounds and days of training, the fate of the 13 skilled participants was decided on the final day. This year, Mandela Ango Anyandjuh from St Joseph’s Academy and Gabrielle Hamlet from Sir Novelle Richards Academy won the titles of Mr. and Ms. Teenage.
In the male category, Clarehall Secondary School’s Ja’quan Christopher stood in the first runner-up position, while Drayton Payne from Glanvilles Secondary School secured third place.
In the girl’s category, Anya Hull of Clarehall Secondary School was awarded first runner-up, followed by Aniah Laurent from Princess Margaret School, who took third place.
The pageant was supported by the Eastern Caribbean Amalgamated Bank, and the contestants also had a chance to visit and explore various employment opportunities at their office.
In the 2024 edition, the event had several live judgments and few pre-judged events. The prejudged categories include Most Improved, Most Helpful, Best Leadership Qualities, Most Congenial, and Most Photogenic.
The results of the following events were declared as, Deana Romeo (Glanvilles Secondary) and Jayean Browne (Jennings Secondary) won the Most Improved category. Whereas the title of the Most Helpful was won by T’Keyah Allen and Jaydean Brown (both of Jennings Secondary).
Further, the Best Leadership Qualities went to Deana Romeo and Jaydean Brown. The Most Congenial category was won by Anya Hull (Clarehall Secondary) and Mandela Ango Anyandjuh and Gabrielle Hamlet and Mandela Ango Anyandjuh secured the title of Most Photogenic.
The live judgment categories included Best Personality and Aspiration, which was given to Ja’quan Christopher (Clarehall Secondary) in the male category, and the Female was secured by Gabrielle Hamlet.
In the Best Performing Talent, Drayton Payne (Glanvilles Secondary) won amongst the boys, and Gabrielle Hamlet was tagged amongst the girls.
Further, the Best Uniform Recreation male went to Mandela Ango Anyandjuh, and the female was won by Gabrielle Hamlet. The title of Best Interview in the male category was secured by Ja’quan Christopher, and in females, it went to Gabrielle Hamlet.
Apart from the glamorous part, this pageant is considered a valuable first step as they prepare for their careers. The pageant offers several unique opportunities for personal and professional growth. The skills that the participants have learned through the process include public speaking, networking, and self-confidence.
This year’s pageant focused on climate change. In each segment the participants included the message on issues concerning at the global level.
