2011 Independence Queen Contestants Want Prizes

Chairperson for the 2011 Independence Homecoming Queen Show, Shane Marsh is disappointed that the winners of that pageant are yet to receive their prizes.

According to Marsh, for the past two years, his committee has been trying unsuccessfully to get the gifts promised to the top three winners, Shanice Sebastian, Ranee Laronde and reigning Queen of Carnival Raynel Carrol.

He says the winner, first and second runners-up were promised prize monies, laptops, gift vouchers and airline tickets, adding that only the winner received her trip.

Marsh says the contestants worked extremely hard to put on an outstanding show and all he is asking is for them to be rewarded accordingly.

1st Runner Up of the 2011 pageant, Ranee Laronde, who is also 2012’s Queen of Carnival, says she finds it unfair that a show will take place this year when the Culture department is yet to deliver on its promise to reward the contestants. She says she was looking forward to receiving the laptop, the stipulated prize for the Research segment which she captured.

Minister of Culture, Eleston Adams says it is unfortunate that the winners have gone public with this matter since the Ministry of Culture is working assiduously to ensure that prizes and gifts are handed over and service providers paid. Adams says already, this week has seen some of the service providers from both 2011 and 2012 received monies.

The Homecoming Queen Show is slated for October 19.