An 18-year-old student of the Ottos Comprehensive School won the school’s well-
produced and highly entertaining 2023 Teen Pageant held at the Dean William
Lake Cultural Centre, on Saturday night.
Six young ladies took part in the pageant which had as its theme – Oh Mama
Africa – this was evidenced in all aspects of the show, as each contestant
represented one of the more than 50 countries, researched, on the African
continent. The research segment was judged, whilst the creative wear segment
replaced, what traditionally was, the evening wear segment.
From the opening prayer, performed in song by a student who sang in both Spanish
and English, to the skit involving three young men who introduced the show, to the
announcement of the winners at the end; the show delivered high marks for its
producers and participants. The choice of the masters of ceremony – Menace XL
and Kariann Challenger, a teacher (not at OCS) – was an excellent one as they
provided that critical link between the segments with a mixture of comedy, charm,
and naturalness, to keep the audience engaged and entertained throughout.
The six contestants and the African countries they represented are; Ms. Ghana –
Teshanya Francis; Ms. South Africa – Melina Abreu Reyes; Ms. Zambia – Trinity
John; Ms. Kenya – Shi-Anna Payne; Ms. Egypt – Tajahna St. Jean and Ms. Nigeria
– Lillian Panthier.
Judging was done in five categories: Interview, Personality and Aspiration, African
Research, Performing Talent, and Creative Wear. At the end of the competition,
the following winners in each category were announced.
Interview: Lillian Panthier
Personality and Aspiration: Shi-Anna Payne
African Research: Tajahna St. Jean
Performing Talent: Shi-Anna Payne
Creative Wear: Teshanya Francis
The top three finalists were; Teshanya Francis, Lillian Panthier, and Tajahna St.
Jean. The second runner-up prize went to Teshanya Francis, the first runner-up
went to Lillian Panthier, and the winner was Tajahna St. Jean.
“I am very excited that I won; I didn’t think that I would have won, but I did!” St.
Jean told Point Express moments after fighting back tears during the crowning
ceremony. “I am very grateful, I want to thank Nigel James for putting all the time
and effort he put in, to help me win this crown,” she continued.
The first runner-up Lillian Panthier was a study in courage, as she overcame six
surgeries to correct the bow-leggedness she had since birth, which allowed her to
be able to participate in a pageant.
Overall, much praise goes to Victor Babu Samuel Jnr. the driving force and
creative genius behind the very successful pageant.
