MIAMI GARDENS – On Saturday, September 18th at the 5th Annual Miss Miami Broward Carnival Pageant held at Florida Memorial University Lou Rawls Theater for the Performing Arts, Shelissa Gomes, Miss Party People Mas, was crowned Miss Miami Broward Carnival Queen.
Shelissa, the child of Trinbagonian parents, was born and raised in Los Angeles, California and is pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice at Nova Southeastern University in Florida. Shelissa hopes to become a social worker. Shelissa also won the Desi Worrell Spirit of Carnival Award, and the Miss Congeniality Award. First runner up was Yasmin Berment, Miss Carnival Nationz Miami, who is of Trinbagonian heritage, is a graduate of mas camps and junior carnival, and attends Broward College where she majors in Theatre. The second runner-up was Shakira Martin, Miss Splendeur International. Shakira also won the Miss Photogenic and People’s Choice Awards. She is a preschool teacher of Jamaican heritage and also attends Nova Southeastern University. The judges based their scores on four competitions – introduction, talent, carnival costumes and evening wear and in addition the contestants took part in a question and answer segment.
Hosted by popular radio host Mike Andrews, whose quips were a hit with the largely Caribbean audience, and with music provided by DJ Maestro, Miami Carnival’s #1 DJ, the program opened with the 2005 Miss Miami Carnival Queen Typhani Mattis, singing of the US National Anthem, followed by the singing of the National Anthem of Trinidad & Tobago. The contestants were later serenaded by 2005 Miss Miami Carnival Queen Typhani Mattis, and attendees enjoyed a performance by Junior Calypso Monarch Zaria Modeste, who sang “Going Green”.
The Selman Lewis Award was presented to bandleader Giselle “De Wassi One” Blanche, a young community leader who is prominent in Caribbean circles throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean, being an emcee, a radio personality, a Promoter, a DJ and a calypsonian and who has been involved in Miami Carnival for most of her life. When introducing Giselle, Executive Director Yolanda Henry noted that she was an organizer of the first-ever Miami Carnival Queen Pageant. After accepting the award, Giselle spoke of her love of and investment in Miami Carnival. She noted: “Selman was more to me than anyone can imagine. I miss him terribly. His charisma, confidence and eloquence are unmatched and our carnival truly misses him. I am blessed to have had a mentor, a friend and a father figure in him. His words keep me steadfast and strong – “If no one else can do it, you can”. She noted that “receiving the Selman Lewis Cultural Award was one of the most overwhelming moments of my life. I could receive a Grammy, an Academy Award, a place in the hall of fame, none would mean more than this award because of what it represents but more importantly because of whose name is on it. Once I live and breathe, Miami Carnival is here to stay.” Giselle went on to humbly thank the pageant committee for everything that they do to promote the positive involvement of young women in our culture.
Yolanda Henry, Executive Director, thanked the community, the sponsors and the judges for their continued support, and spoke briefly of the reason for the existence of the Pageant, saying: “This is not a beauty contest, or a fashion show or even a talent contest. This is Miss Miami Broward Carnival Pageant, where we celebrate and toast and present the best that the Caribbean Diaspora has to offer!”
Joan Hinkson, a Director of both Miami Carnival Inc., and of Miami-Broward One Carnival Host Committee Inc., spoke of the 26th Annual Miami Carnival which will be held on October 10 at the new home of Carnival, Sun Life Stadium, and noted that the Carnival will be supported by Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami Gardens, whose representatives will join Machel Montano as the Grand Marshal of the Miami Carnival Parade.
