Russell and Dickenson crowned queens at TI SummaJam

THE much-anticipated summer festival, the TI SummaJam, showcased the beauty, intelligence and talent of TCIslanders and crowned two new Grand Turk queens in the process.

The packed multi-day event held recently, proved to be a hub of activities. Despite the talent on display, which unveiled talented teens and young women full of poise, grace, beauty and intelligence, two stood out.

In the Ms Teen Grand Turk 2023 pageant, Danya Russell, 14, sponsored by Jack Shack, won the overall title and every section, including: Best Introduction, Best Sports Segment, Best Dress and Best Talent.

Voniqua Skippings, sponsored by Chuka Tours, finished as the first runner up and Sierra Samuels, sponsored by Cargo Express, was the second runner-up.

The three top finishers won cash and gift prizes, while all contestants were given complementary prizes by the organisers and gift certificates sponsored by Gender Affairs.

In the Ms Grand Turk Pageant, the main event of the festival, six highly competitive young ladies vied for the title and although a plethora of talent was on display, crowd favourite Ms Bereniece Dickenson, sponsored by Olympic Construction, emerged victorious.

Along with the overall title, she also won Best Introduction.

Erline Dorastine, sponsored by Provo Water, finished with the Best Dress award and in the first runnerup position, while Tinell Garland sponsored by Grand Turk Liquors finished as the second runner-up.

The Best Talent went to Widlina Brevil sponsored by Long Bay Express.

The TI SummaJam was more than just pageants, it was a spectacle of activities, perfectly packaged for the TCI as it showcased our history, culture, cuisine, music, talent and much more in a clean and safe environment.

The promoters, the Gardiners, along with their teams went all out in bringing the event to the people.

Prior to the pageants, the participants took part in a motorcade. They were chauffeured in their own personalised Hummer sponsored by Funtastic Tours.

This was a promotion of the pageants as the girls were introduced to the nation as they waved to bystanders lining the streets who assembled just to get that first glimpse of the beauties— and they were not disappointed.

The event officially opened on Thursday, July 20 and the evening activities began with an African dance choreographed by Cleon Astwood and Kia Swann.

This was followed by the teen pageant.

One day later, the participants of the feature event, took to the stage for the Ms Grand Turk pageant.

Patrons also witnessed the 6th Annual Music and Culture Awards, which honoured 11 persons who have made outstanding contributions to the music and culture segment of the TCI.

Special guest artistes for the evening were Crystal ‘Tess’ Charles and Elroy Simmons along with Pro Vision Band and TCI’s Most Wanted DJ Shakes, who ended the evening with a bang.

TI SummaJam came to a climax on Saturday evening with the Parade of Nations/Flag Day Float Parade.

A number of countries displayed their flags in one of the longest float parades Grand Turk has ever seen. But on stage, the Dominicans showed up in huge numbers displaying their culture through their national dress, anthem, song, history, and dance. Other countries, who put on a great showing of their culture were Haiti, Jamaica and the Philippines.

In the line-up also were Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, India, Pakistan, USA and the Bahamas.

According to information from the organisers, they would like to thank all their sponsors, the committee members and the dancers among other people, who “provided the entertainment and of course the patrons for their support in making this festival a great and successful one”.