Ms Barbados/World 2003: A pageant of elegance and sheer beauty
Barbados Advocate
October 17, 2003
After Kathy-Ann Patrick and Tanya Sealy had taken the second runner-up and first runner-up positions respectively, the audience already knew who had won the title. When Raquel Wilkinson was announced as Miss Barbados/World 2003 on Sunday night at the Sherbourne Conference Centre, they showed their delight with screams and cheers.
In what was truly an evening of elegance, the six contestants delivered gracefully co-ordinated movements in an international pageant style throughout the night. Chantelle Webb, 20; Kathy-Ann Patrick, 18; Tanya Sealy, 19; Stacey Walcott, 22; Raquel Wilkinson, 22; and Andrea Sampson, 24, were judged on swim wear, talent, evening wear and question and answer in the approximately three-hour long event.
Wilkinson, a 22-year-old sales associate, dazzled the crowd and judges with her confidence, poise and creativity at the standing-room only event, which was organised by Presgen Promotions International. She demonstrated her passion for dancing and modelling in the various segments.
While modelling her swim wear, she took the catwalk by storm, opening her wrap and parading to the cheers of the crowd. In the talent section she once again had the crowd eating out of her hands during an energetic and dynamic performance to Gloria Estefan’s “Congo”. In one memorable moment, she came off stage to turn up the heat with a male audience member. At the end of that dance, in which she was clearly enjoying herself, the crowd response went through the roof.
Chantelle Webb also gave an original performance in the talent section. After belting out Yolanda Adams’ “Still I Rise”, she then strutted to a piece from the movie “Chicago” before stripping off her white top and pinstriped pants to reveal a costume reminiscent of a belly dancer’s. When the strains of Truth Hurts’ “Addictive” came through the loudspeaker, the audience went wild.
Crowd participation was at a high throughout the show, but two incidents in particular showed just how involved they were. The first occurred during Andrea Sampson’s talent piece, while she was singing Madonna’s “Isla Bonita”. Sampson forgot some of the words in the chorus and the obliging audience sang them for her until she regained composure admirably and was able to finish the song more comfortably and confidently. The second incident was not as nice. During her reply in the question and answer segment, Chantelle Webb was interrupted by some unruly persons in the crowd.
Although others in the crowd encouraged her by clapping and the emcee admonished the crowd, she was obviously fazed by the experience and could not add to her answer. However, by the end of the night Webb still emerged a winner with the Ms. Photogenic title.
Generally speaking, however, the crowd was supportive, especially in the evening gown segment, where 19-year-old Tanya Sealy roped in the Best Gown prize. The striking V-neck blue gown with a daring plunge neckline easily attracted attention, and the five foot nine and a half inches tall young lady used her graceful height to full advantage.
The question and answer segment produced excellent responses from Wilkinson, Sealy, Sampson, and Patrick in particular, and the Ms. Congeniality award was won by Walcott. After her victory, Wilkinson was surrounded by a huge crowd of relatives and well-wishers, including her emotional mother, and noted that she would have “a fantastic reign” as Miss Barbados/World 2003.
The judges for the evening were Trevor Manning, Omawale Stewart, and George Raizman, with Roxanne Gibbs as chief judge.