Laventille has one more reason to be proud with Saturday’s crowning of the new Miss La Reine Rive. From the moment she appeared on stage Saychelle Ross owned the evening.
And this was apparent when before being crowned, she swept each category clean-winning Best self-expression, Best talent, Best hair and make-up, and Best evening gown.
The 21-year-old from Picton Laventille exhibited poise, personality, grace and sure confidence that sent a clear message to judges that she was the best fit for the crown.
Toward the end of the four-hour show, they agreed, and it was Ross, sashed and enthroned.
Screams erupted from the almost filled auditorium when Ross who represented the North-West Cultural Movement was named the 2019 winner.
An immediate party began in the auditorium among her supporters and continued backstage where a large number of them surrounded her singing “Laventille here we come.”
In her evening gown, a portrayal of De Washer Woman, Ross answered the “make or break” question of any pageant-the final interview segment. Asked what strategies she would implement to uplift the Prime Minister’s Best Village Trophy Competition; Ross’s response came as a smart surprise. Instead of speaking of perhaps aesthetics—a conventional route, Ross chose to take the opportunity to uplift the men in her community and men in T&T as a whole. She said she would implement a male La Reine Rive to the competition. She believes the media’s portrayal of men tends to lean on the negative side and including this category in the competition would allow young men to showcase themselves in a more uplifting and positive manner. In a subsequent interview with Guardian Media, an elated Ross said as it pertains to her community of Laventille, winning the competition meant the world to her. She said she believed she represented “her people” well, by showcasing the many talents that are Laventille.
“I believe the immense support I received from my community just made my experience an even greater one,” said Ross.
Asked if she felt her win could inspire young women in her community, Ross said she would continue to be an example and a voice to the voiceless to show that young girls can be anything they put their minds to or set their hearts upon to achieve.