Carnival News: Shanyra eyes the coveted PJD2 Crown

Shanyra eyes the coveted PJD2 Crown

The Festival Village will come alive on April 24 when 21-year-old Shanyra Richardson takes the stage to represent St. Maarten at the PJD2 Caribbean Queen. Pageant.

Delegates from around the Caribbean will compete for the coveted title as well as for a chance to win some nice prizes. Richardson, a University of St. Martin (USM) General Liberal Arts student, will represent Dutch St. Maarten.

Richardson, who has a passion for the arts and is hoping to one day pursue a career in this fi eld said the public can expect a spectacular performance from her. She sings, acts, dances and models. Richardson described her costume as a spectacular portrayal of something special about St. Maarten and noted that she will use one of “the talents that God has blessed me with” for her talent segment.

Pageantry is nothing new to Richardson. She won the judges hearts last year when she was sashed the French as well as Dutch St. Maarten Senior Carnival Queen. She had also won the Miss Party Crew Summer Queen Pageant in 2004 and had placed first runner-up in the Miss Carnival Teen Pageant in French St. Martin.

“I like pageantry. I see it as being a part of culture and the arts,” she told The Daily Herald on Wednesday. “I plan to represent St. Maarten to the best of my ability and people can expect nothing but the best from me.” She’s also gotten some amount of exposure internationally and has attended the Broadway show – The Colour Purple – and has had the opportunity to meet some noted executives from international recording companies in recent years.

With people like professional hairstylist and makeup artist Miguel Alexander and Gina Illidge on her team, Richardson’s preparation for the pageant is in full swing. Having performed at the Apollo Theatre in 2006 and in the road to Stardom in New York City sometime back, Richardson is also very comfortable on stage. The Leo born Cole Bay resident urges the public to come out and support her and Carty at the pageant.

The PJD2 Pageant is returning to annual Carnival scene after a break of several years. The pageant is one of the activities being held in commemoration of PJD2’s 35th anniversary. Contestants are drawn from around the Caribbean.

They will be making appearances in opening production, talent, swimsuit, and evening wear. “This event promises to be one of the best things the Island has seen in a very long time, PJD2 will also be making and celebrating good news as it celebrates its 35th anniversary,” organisers said.

Courtesy of The Daily Herald.