Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine January 2018 | Page 404

Zenoushka shared with Mélange . . . About her participation in the Miss Caribbean Culture Queen Pageant About where she sees herself 20 years from now I officially started pageantry in 2015. I was asked to be a contestant in the annual Miss Montserrat Pageant. At first I was hesitant, asking myself, “what do I know about pageantry?”, but then I thought to myself “you have done some modelling, you love drama, you’re articulate, and you’re confident. Why not give it a shot.” So I did, and I placed second runner up with best talent. A year later, I won the first ever Miss St. Patrick’s Culture Queen and then I represented Montserrat in the 2017 Miss Caribbean Culture Queen Pageant in Nevis. It was amazing! My future aspirations consist of me owning my own entertainment company, providing entertainment as a complement to hotels and restaurants that cater to the tourism industry. The competition was fierce, the girls were ready and I enjoyed each segment. The experience was great and I am grateful that I was given another opportunity to share my talents and opinions. About her role model My role model is my Mom, Shermaine Meade- Daniel. She is my best friend and I admire her strength. She says she sees a lot of herself in me, and I feel honoured to know that. About her interests and causes she supports My interests and causes include implementing eco-friendly strategies on Montserrat, anti-bullying, aiding in the fight against abuse of all genders and encouraging self-acceptance. About her advice to young ladies who may be a bit timid about pursuing their passion I have come to realise that these words are always easier said than done……”love yourself!” I love myself enough to know what I want for myself and how hard I am willing to work to achieve my goals. Once you love yourself you will find the courage to do whatever it is you desire the most, because the only thing that is truly stopping you, is you. About Carnival on Monsterrat, held during the Christmas Season Festival! Unlike most countries in the Caribbean, Montserrat celebrates Carnival which we call Festival, in the month of December. This time of year is truly fantastic for locals and tourist alike. There is pageantry, calypso, mas, soca monarch, private fetes, tours, good food - such as our national dish, goat water, and great weather. Once you’ve decided to have fun for the Festival, the action will be easy to find. My favourite part of Festival is the closing activities. Seeing the troupes and groups out having fun and just letting their hair down. Each Troupe, T-shirt Mas, Pageant contestant and the winner, goes up on stage to showcase themselves for one last time. Then comes the street jam (jump up) which goes until 1:00 or 2:00 am. It’s always fun! Life is too short not to have fun at least once in a while.