Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine October 2019 | Page 172

even internationally. Through
pageantry, she has been
able to network, developing
relationships with people from
different islands, to whom
she has been able to offer her
services. The goal is to build
her brand. She was afforded
the privilege of judging the
Miss Jaycees International
Queen Show two years in a
row and that has helped to
provide more visibility to her
Fenyx Creations brand.
This year, Fenyx Creations will
be responsible for producing
the Miss Teen Montserrat
Pageant. Pageantry is
an important part of the
Montserratian culture and
historically it is one of the
most anticipated aspects
of the country’s Year End
Carnival. Jo-Annah views
this as a great opportunity
for her to help develop and
shape future Ambassadors of
Montserrat.
Contestant training has
already commenced for
the December event, with
workshops in Deportment,
Public Speaking, Skin Care
and Make up application. Also
included are segments on
Introduction, Interview and
Walking. The intention is to
not only prepare them for the
show but equip them with life
skills that will advance them
personally and professionally.
Miss Teen Montserrat will
be held on December 23rd,
at the Montserrat Culture
Centre as a private event
during the Year End Carnival.
The theme of the pageant is
“Melanin Magic”. The concept
is about displaying the
beauty, strength and power
of black women, which Jo-
Annah believes is extremely
important, as there are not
a lot of positive images of
black women and girls in
the media. “I want the show
to be an expression of why
we should love our hair,
our lips, our culture and to
embolden the contestants
and other young black girls
to believe in themselves, their
worth and ability, “ Jo-Annah
expressed. “The intention is
to have a show of opulence,
beautiful imagery, music,
décor, atmosphere and to be
blown away by the ability and
growth of all the contestants.
I believe that after the show
persons will go away excited
by pageantry on Montserrat
again because they would
have been engrossed in the
show because they will be
told a story. I want there to
be a feeling of excitement,
enthusiasm and exhilaration
on Montserrat for pageantry.”
“Auditions were held,
embedding the idea into
the young ladies that you
have to put in effort to gain
something”, Jo-Annah shared.
“Another new addition was
the Contract Signing, which
was the first event where the
contestants were introduced
to the public. There was
great commendation for
this, as the public could see
that training had indeed
started early. Also, through
the signing of the contract, it
demonstrated commitment
of both contestants and
Fenyx Creatios and gave the
public an insight into the
high standards by which we
operate.”
Montserrat’s Carnival is always
a grand affair, attracting
people to the islands from
the disapora who use this as
an opportunity to visit family
and friends at Christmas
time. They enjoy a double-
dose of merriment with food,
drink, music and revelry, as
the island combines two
important aspects of their
culture and island-life into
one big celebration. And, this
year, Fenyx Creations will be a
major contributor.
The month of December. It’s a
great time to visit Montserrat!
My true Montserrat is actually in the exclusion zone. I grew
up in a village called Kinsale which was a beach side village
just outside the capital Plymouth. I love the beach. I can stay
in the water all day and just relax. I love that I can wake up
every day in a beautiful place with beautiful scenery and nice
weather. Also, Montserrat is very unique in that crime is low,
though the most important thing is that Montserrat makes
me feel grounded. ~ Jo-Annah
Jo Annah's Note to visitors:
-
Montserrat has an active
volcano and two thirds
of the island has been
destroyed by that volcano.
The first thing a visitor
should do is take a tour
of our buried capital
Plymouth, where you will
get to see the volcano’s
destruction first-hand.
You will see the remnants
of some buildings which
will demonstrate just how
developed Montserrat was.
Also, to supplement that,
you can take a virtual tour
and see how Montserrat
was pre-volcano, with the
Montserrat’s 4th Dymension Most importantly, to truly
Software Company.
experience Montserrat,
you have experience our
The island is mountainous
Year End Carnival which is
and embedded with a rich
an expression of our true
culture, so activities include culture. Our Carnival this
touring, kayaking, diving
year is from December 20
and hiking through our
to January 1, 2020. It will be
various trails.
an infusion and explosion
of unique traditions, vibrant
The main aspects of
culture and rich heritage. Its
our culture that should
pageantry, calypso, food,
be experienced is our
masquerade, Miss Goosey,
Masquerade, our national
John Bull, just everything
dish, Goat Water; also our
that makes Montserrat a
unique wildlife, including
true gem, a real Emerald!
the Oriole and Mountain
Chicken.