DE YONTÉ MAYERS, Miss Mustique Co. Ltd., says that she would like to make a difference during her reign as Miss SVG 2015.
“Because I do realise that a lot of people look up to me as a role model, (though) that is sort of scary and can be a bit daunting. But I know that I do want to make a difference, and I want people to remember me for just not having won the Miss SVG, but for making a difference,” Mayers told THE VINCENTIAN.
The 19-year-old swept the major categories at last Saturday night’s Miss SVG Show at the Victoria Park. She, however, admits that the reality of her performance has not fully sunk in.
Life as the nation’s top beauty queen may take some getting used to, she said, as her life has significantly changed in the few days since the show.
She recalled her visit to her hometown of Victoria Village last Sunday evening, and the commendations she received from members in her community.
Caption: L-R: 1st Runner-up Vickeish Charles, Miss Lotto; Miss SVG 2015, De Yonté Mayers, Miss Mustique Co. Ltd.; and 2nd Runner-up, Anika Robinson, Miss LIME.. Photo courtesy http://thevincentian.com/
“The most major change is the fact that people keep stopping me in the streets to congratulate me, and it is a bit unbelievable, because last week, I was just De Yonté Mayers; this week, I am Miss SVG 2015, and I realise that a lot of people have a lot of confidence in me.”
Her focus is now on the Miss Carival pageant, scheduled for July 3. She is aware that people believe that she has what it takes to bring home the Miss Carival crown, and she is up to the challenge.
“I hate disappointing people, so I am going to work very hard towards bringing it home,” Mayers assured.
Based on her performance last Saturday, many may be of the opinion that she has done this sort of thing before — but this was her first pageant.
She confessed to being “a bit nervous at first,” but gained confidence as the show went on.
“The fact that I didn’t have to speak again until the interview section of the show, and through the interview, it helped to maintain composure by remaining focused on the person asking the question. I didn’t have to look at the crowd,” she explained.
The winning talent
Mayers captivated the audience with her dramatic portrayal of the life of national hero, Joseph Chatoyer, as her talent presentation.
“When we were brainstorming for talent, I knew I wanted to use shadows, because I wanted to do something that had not been done before on the Vincentian stage,” she said.
“I am a member of the La Gracia Dance Company, and Maxine Browne has a genuine love for everything Garifuna, so we decided to go with the Garifuna story,” Mayers continued.
She discussed the trick to what appeared to be a well-coordinated, flawless performance, saying that she sneaked glances at the screen a few times.
“I had to. We put a lot of practice into it, to make sure I was where I needed to be, or else it would not have had the sort of impact that it did,” she said.
But despite her seeming confidence, Mayers said that she never expected to be crowned Miss SVG — moreso to make a clean sweep of the Swimwear, Talent, Evening Wear, Interview and Photogenic categories.
“I went backstage and told my chaperone that I did not do well, every time…every time and she had to comfort me.”
What’s next
She will be taking up her scholarship, the top prize, in September 2016. She intends to attend the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, where she will be pursuing studies in medicine.
But before that, she and her team will be discussing her strategy for the Miss Carival pageant, and she promises to give the patrons at that show, another stunning presentation.
Mayers’ top class performance meant that Vickeish Charles (Miss Lotto), had to settle for the second spot (1st Runner-up), and Anika Robinson (Miss LIME) was judged third (2nd Runner-up).
The other contestants on the night included Precious Abraham (Miss French Veranduh), Mellcia Antoine (Miss Metrocint General Insurance), Chantal Dells (Miss Agriculture Input Warehouse), Deshia Murray (Miss Play 4) and Donna Nelson (Miss Dipcon Engineering Ltd). Article courtesy http://thevincentian.com/
