St Kitts: Minister Douglas hosts Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant Contestants at dinner

St Kitts and Nevis: The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Denzil Douglas, hosted the contestants of the 41st Haynes Smith Miss Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant at a special dinner on Friday at the Palm's Court.

As the contestants were all set to dazzle at the Pageant on Saturday, Minister of Public Utilities Konris Maynard thought of organising a special dinner for them. Although he was unable to attend, Minister Douglas, along with the support from the Minister of Sustainable Development Joyelle Clarke, extended a warm welcome to each one of them.

In his address, Minister Douglas extended a heartfelt welcome to the contestants and expressed pride that St Kitts and Nevis will be hosting the young ladies from across the Caribbean.

He also talked about the recent challenges posed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and applauded the unwavering spirit and resilience of the pageant's participants and organisers.

As the event returned after a hiatus of three years, Denzil Douglas said that it is a testament to the enduring strength and perseverance which defines the community.

One of the major highlights of the dinner was the address by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Daryll Lloyd. He spoke about the pillars of success and emphasised how teamwork, dedication and punctuality drive both personal as well as professional growth.

The Haynes Smith Caribbean Talented Teen was birthed in the Village Community of Haynes Smith who had an active community group that worked on behalf of the village people to keep the community engaged. The show started over 40 years ago and is now one of the most coveted regional crowns in Pageant.

Through his Facebook account, Minister Konris Maynard expressed his pride that a small community like Haynes Smith has been able to produce a high-quality show like this over the last four decades.

As a Minister, he said that he was delighted to host the young ladies in this capacity after having served the Pageant in other ways over the years, including being a producer for the on-stage productions and sound effects. "As a representative for the area, I will continue to support in any way possible," added Minister Maynard.