It will be a history-making moment for the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals
Commission and the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus (UWI
FIC), with the awarding this year, of scholarships for the top three winners of the
Mr. and Miss Teen Pageant competition.
This comes out of the collaboration between the Festivals Commission and UWI
FIC the titled sponsor of this show, which highlights the talents of young people
from the nation’s secondary schools.
“As you know, the UWI FIC is the fourth landed campus of the UWI in the
Caribbean, it is home-grown and we are happy that they recognize the importance
of this partnership, as the individuals who are entering this pageant are young
people between the ages of 14 and 18 years, and as many are leaving secondary
school the main question is, what is the next step?” Parliamentary Secretary in the
Ministry of Education and Creative Industries, Senator Shenella Govia stated.
“It was against this background,” she continued, “that the Festivals Commission
reached out to the UWI FIC, and the institution immediately responded in the
affirmative.”
UWI FIC Marketing Manager, Shavar Maloney recalled that both himself and the
Principal, Professor Densil A. Williams were invited to a meeting with Minister
Daryll Matthew, Senator Govia, and the chairperson of the Festivals Commission,
Ambassador Elizabeth Makhoul. It was out of that meeting, that it was agreed to
name the UWI FIC as the titled sponsor for the pageant.
“Ultimately, when we looked at it, it was the kind of relationship that can work for
both parties. We have to invest in youth and I think that when you look at the
Teenage Pageant and you look at what our young people are doing, you need to
have that positive avenue for them to channel that energy. The Teenage Pageant is
unique to Antigua’s Carnival, and you need that avenue for support, as teenagers
get involved, schools get involved, and parents get involved as well,” he declared.
Additionally, Maloney said if one looks back at where former Teenage pageant
participants are today, it speaks powerfully to the long-term benefits of the show.
Many, he noted are doctors, businessmen, and women, while others hold important
positions throughout the public and private sectors.
Senator Govia said the scholarships for the top three pageant winners will be full
degrees at the UWI FIC. “Many times, winners receive gifts that last for a short
time, but the gift of education lasts for a lifetime,” she remarked.
She noted that being the titled sponsor of a show catering to young people also
helps the university to fully integrate within the Antigua and Barbuda society.
