National Carnival Queen Pageant Spotlight

This week the STAR continues our spotlight on the upcoming National Carnival Queen Pageant carded for Saturday July 2nd 2016, at the National Cultural Centre. This week we present to our readers Kaysia Verneuil – Miss Digicel, Racquel John – Miss Saint Lucia Zouks and Kerline Sylvester – Miss Radio Caribbean International.

Kaysia Verneuil
Born and raised in the beautiful community of Laborie, Kaysia considers herself to be audacious, industrious, energetic and caring. “I also have a passion for community service and I am the current secretary of the Rotaract club – South,” she says. The young beauty believes in doing whatever it takes to improve her community and herself. She has also taken part in one previous pageant: “Miss Mizik Mele Melange” receiving the prize for best talent and Miss Photogenic.

“Truth be told I am a feminist and I believe in equality for women and women empowering themselves,” Kaysia says.  A past student of the Laborie Girls’ Primary School, Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School and the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, she was an active student at school, participating in sports, cheerleading, salsa, the school choir and debating competitions as well as a number of voluntary programmes.

“I strongly believe that the school environment should not only be an academic place but one where you become a well-rounded individual.” Kaysia says she loves children and aspires to become a paediatrician. Currently she works as a front office agent at Coconut Bay Beach Resort and Spa.

Racquel John
A graduate of the Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School and the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, Racquel John has received awards as the most outstanding student in Theatre Arts & the Valedictorian at Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School. She studied Business Administration at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College and her eyes are set on becoming a dynamic businesswoman and marketing consultant.

“I am currently pursuing my Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing at the Florida International University and I am also enrolled at the Monroe College, pursuing a certification in Project Management,” Racquel says. All this while she holds the position of Marketing Manager at Citizen’s Jewelry. An active individual in the performing arts, Racquel lives with a passion for dance and pageantry, an avenue which she believes allows her innermost expressions and flair of abilities to be expressed. She has participated in seven pageants, both locally and regionally, placing in the top three and capturing four titles – the latest being Miss Queen of Gros Islet 2014. She is a senior member of Untitled51 dance group and is the host for the popular educational television programme Anansi’s Challenge. Racquel also volunteers with groups such as Faces of Cancer Saint Lucia, Saint Lucia Horse Association and Saint Lucia’s National Youth Council.

Kerline Sylvester
“In order to be successful, you must believe that you can be” is a quote by which Kerline Sylvester lives. Born on 22nd January, 1992 Kerline always strives for excellence in every aspect of her life. “ I am a hardworking, confident and optimistic individual, always willing to help and motivate others,” she says. During her primary school days Kerline was an active sportsperson and at the Entrepot Secondary School she excelled in academics.?She aspires to become an entrepreneur and in order to achieve that goal she says, “Effective preparation is key.”

“I enrolled in the Business Administration Associate degree programme at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College in 2011 and completed it successfully. Later, I pursued the undergraduate Business Management programme at Monroe College, qualifying for the Dean’s and President’s lists for three out of four semesters,” she reveals.

Kerline is currently employed with the Financial Services Regulatory Authority as a receptionist. She enjoys reading poetry, dancing, hiking, going to the beach and spending time with her family.?“With God, I am ideally prepared to face any challenges and grasp any opportunity, as I am a highly intrinsically motivated individual who is devoted to her career and helping others,” she says.