The 2018 Miss Independence Pageant will be one of the major highlights among activities that will form part of the island’s 39th Independence anniversary celebrations.

The 2018 Miss Independence Pageant will be held under the auspices of the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, Empowerment, Youth Development, Sports, Local Government and Culture.

The announcement was made on Wednesday, Jan. 17, during a press launch for the event. Minister with responsibility for Local Government and Culture, Sen. Hon. Fortuna Belrose explained that the various town and village councils were utilized as the vehicle that would drive the event moving forward.

“This year’s Miss Independence pageant is being held on the platform of Local Government. As you know, the Government of Saint Lucia is committed to using a renewed local government regime to facilitate development across communities.

“The Miss Independence Pageant is being pursued as part of a suite of programmes and activities designed to cement and build confidence, and of course promote synergies across our country.”

The minister went on to explain that the pageant provided opportunities for the talent, skills and competences of the contestants to be recognized and utilized within their various communities.

“It will also provide the opportunity to showcase communities and develop a greater sense of community and national pride as well. It will rally your communities around a common theme and engender greater levels of friendship, confidence and of course the spirit of the community- l’esprit de corps within communities.”

Rosalia King is the Chairperson of the Miss Independence Planning Committee. She has promised a great show, preceded by much hard work in preparing the contestants and showcasing them at various functions and activities in the coming days.

“We have nine young ladies and they are representing their various constituency councils. We have been working with them and we are very happy with them, so we promise the public a very, exciting show.”

The nine contestants are Shanique Hippolyte representing Anse La Raye, Daria Noel of Castries, Estherline Augustine of Micoud, Erlica Frederick of Choiseul, Kaysia Verneuil of Laborie, Kernisha Augustus of Dennery, Bernelle St. Rose of Soufriere, Keyana Nicholas of Vieux Fort and Aleysha Wells, Gros Islet.

Founder of the Miss Independence Pageant, Gregory Lorde, on Wednesday thanked Sen. Belrose for embracing the pageant.

The 2018 Miss Independence Pageant will be held on Feb. 16, at the National Cultural Centre at 7 p.m.