Dr. George Irish, an icon in Montserrat history, dies at 76

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February 12, 2019

drirish — Photo credit: Facebook profile
Dr. George Irish is pictured at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn in 2016.

Dr. George Irish, a cultural giant in Montserrat history who was a scholar, professor, trade unionist, musician, politician and author, among other titles, passed away Tuesday in New York. He was 76 years old.

A cause of death was not immediately known but a close friend said Irish was hospitalized in December with a serious illness.

Irish, who once said music was the love of his life, formed the Emerald Community Singers in 1971 and watched the choral group rise to international acclaim.

Irish was born in Baker Hill and grew up in Cudjoe Head. He attended the St. Peter’s Anglican Church and, although the Cavalla Hill Primary School was closer to his home, he attended the St. Peter’s Parish School. “That’s how loyal people were to their church,” he said during an interview with My Montserrat in 2012.

As a young boy his family moved to Plymouth and then to Fort Barrington. Irish said he got involved in as many social activities as he could when he was a teenager, especially anything involving music. “I played the guitar, ukulele, accordion and the piano,” he said. “I was never bored.”

After graduating from the Montserrat Secondary School, Irish was the recipient of the Montserrat Island Scholarship and went to study at the University of the West Indies in Mona, Jamaica. He earned a degree in Modern Languages in 1965. After returning to Montserrat for a few months, he got a scholarship from UWI to return and earn his doctorate. He then stayed on and became part of the faculty as chair of the Spanish department. “I ended up spending 16 years in Jamaica,” he told My Montserrat.

When he returned to Montserrat, he contacted some former MSS classmates and formed the Emerald Community Singers on September 15, 1971. The group practiced for three months and held its first Christmas concert that December at the Shamrock Theatre in Plymouth. Some of those early members included Vera Roach (Ryan), Veronica Hickson, Edith Bellot Allen, Dorothy Greenaway and Dr. Vernon Buffonge.

*Dr. George Irish is shown with daughter Ayanna, a talented singer.*

In 1972, Irish founded the Alliouagana Festival. He later founded the Montserrat Allied Workers’ Union and also delved into local politics, with mixed results. In 1982, he established the Montserrat Cooperative Credit Union.

After his party suffered a big defeat in the 1983 elections, Irish relocated to the United States and became director of the Caribbean Research Centre at the Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York. In 2014 he was appointed Dean of the Liberal Arts program at Medgar Evers. He has published more than 30 books and booklets.

Irish is the father of up-and-coming singer Ayanna Irish.

Condolences and tributes poured in on social media Tuesday after news of Irish’s passing, including a poem from his old friend Sir Howard Fergus, who wrote in part:

If I am allowed a meaningful cliche,

Dr Irish was a colossus, worthy of our tears;

His music and the music of his life,

Will resonate endless years.

‘Iceman’ needs financial assistance as he continues fight to save eyesight

By

EDWIN L. MARTIN

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February 12, 2019

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The past five months have been an ordeal for Montserrat calypsonian and family man Steve Weekes, better known as Iceman. He tried to keep his struggles a secret because he didn’t want to be judged. But then it came to a point where he had to go public about his plight.

Weekes is blind in his right eye. The left eye is functioning at about 50 percent. So on the morning of Monday, January 7, 2019, an emotional Weekes phoned in to Basil Chambers’ show on Radio Montserrat to plead for help. He is currently in Canada getting treatment. He has undergone four laser surgeries but needs another procedure. His funds have dried up due to costs he didn’t expect, such as purchasing winter clothes to deal with the frigid Great White North.

“I need to come up with about $2,900 Canadian by Wednesday in order to pay up front for the lens I need for my left eye,” said Weekes, who won the Festival calypso crown in 2015.

The odyssey of Weekes’ eye troubles began in 2013. Weekes, who operates heavy equipment for Montserrat Public Works, was struck in the right eye one day when a low-hanging tree branch clipped the top of the roller he was driving and snapped back into his eye. Before that accident, Weekes had 20/20 vision.

Ever since, Weekes has endured government bureaucracy, legal setbacks, inconsistent diagnoses from eye specialists and financial hardships.

First he traveled to St. Kitts to visit a Cuban surgeon after the sight in his right eye began to fade. “I had surgery but over time the stitches in the eye that keep the lens in place got loose,” he said. “Over time the eye went back dark.”

Weekes visited Antigua-based eye specialist Dr. Ian Walwyn, who often visits Montserrat, which does not have a permanent eye specialist.

Last September, Weekes’ left eye, which had not been giving problems, started going dark. He tried to fight through it. “I tried to stay strong,” he said. “It’s a small country. If one person knows, the whole country knows.”

Walwyn examined him and told him there are some veins behind the left eye that are likely bleeding and would need surgery. Weekes visited two more eye specialists in Antigua. They both told him he has cataracts. Neither mentioned bleeding behind his eye.

“I’ve been to the Premier, the minister of health. If you go to the ministers and can’t get help, where else can you turn?”

Weekes was in a quandary. He sought the help of social services but was told that because he’s a civil servant he’s only eligible for a medical advance . . . which must be repaid. He personally visited government ministers to request help. One suggested he go to England but warned that he might have to wait six months to get treatment. Another suggested Cuba, but that also never came to fruition.

As his sight worsened, simple tasks such as driving became a chore.

“People would blow their horns at me telling me to get out of the middle of the road,” he said. “It seemed like my eyesight was seven hours ahead. When it was noon, it looked like it was night time. But I had to drive. I had no choice because I had to drop my son to school. Thank God I never got into any accidents or hit anyone.”

His challenges increased during the calypso competition in December. “I couldn’t even read my own lyrics on the paper,” he said. “I actually bussed [forgot my lyrics] during the semifinals but I still passed to the finals.”

Weekes said he struggled when he was performing on stage but tried his best to hide it. “I didn’t take hardly any props on stage because I was afraid I would trip over them.”

Weekes finished 5^th in the finals. His signature song was Renew My Faith, an ironic title because he has had to expend every ounce of his faith during this trying time.

In early January, he couldn’t take it anymore. So he made the phone call to Radio Montserrat to share his story. “I had to do it,” he said. “I’ve been to the Premier, the minister of health. If you go to the ministers and can’t get help, where else can you turn?”

Weekes’ call to Radio Montserrat did get the attention of the government. Social services agreed to help him. They were told he needed $10,000 Canadian for the surgeries. They gave him a one-off grant of E.C. $15,000. But once that was exchanged to Canadian currency, there was still a $3,000 shortfall.

Weekes’ cousin in New York contacted a friend in Canada and made arrangements for Weekes to see a specialist there.

Upon arriving last month and visiting the specialist, he found out that the retina in his right eye has been completely detached and that the damage is irreversible. However he has undergone four laser surgeries to burn off bleeding veins in the left eye. He needs one more surgery on March 4 to remove a cataract and replace it with an artificial lens. He has to pay $2,900 (about U.S. $2,200) by Wednesday, Feb. 13, for the custom-made lens. Because he’s not a Canadian citizen, he has to pay for his treatments up front.

Making matters worse, a city bus in which Weekes was a passenger was involved in an accident on Feb. 1. Weekes damaged his wrist but couldn’t afford to take an X-ray.

Despite everything, Weekes sees a silver lining.

“A good calypso must come out of all of this.”

If you wish to assist, Steve Weekes can be reached via What’s App at (664) 392-4417.

Promoter explains why Ky-Mani Marley was no-show at Maui concert

By

Montserrat Spotlight Staff

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February 11, 2019

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victorphoto — Victor E. Lewis, left, and reggae artist Ky-Mani Marley appear in a video on Monday via Marley's Facebook page.

The events that led to reggae star Ky-Mani Marley being a no-show at a concert late Saturday in Maui, Hawaii, revolved around greed and possible miscommunication, according to the show’s main promoter.

Thomas “T-Flatz” Fevella — a musician who played at the event dubbed the “Bob Bash” — said Marley’s manager, Victor E. Lewis of Montserrat, asked for an extra $7,000 just hours before Marley was to headline the show at the Lahaina Civic Center, which holds about 2,500 people.

Lewis, who manages Marley through his VicRae company, appeared with Marley in an awkward video early Monday in which he accepted blame for the entire incident. Lewis appeared to be dour and beleaguered during the six-minute video, which quickly went viral on social media.

T-Flatz says he and his partners spent about $30,000 to get Marley to Hawaii. This includes airfare, hotels, transfers and the performing fee for concerts in Maui on Saturday night and Honolulu the day before. Marley also performed in Kona, but T-Flatz says that was handled by a different promoter.

“I had just completed my set [Saturday night],” T-Flatz said, “so I asked Victor where Ky-Mani is. He said Ky-Mani is still at the hotel. I think Victor tried to extort us. I think he saw the money we were collecting and wanted more. I told him I didn’t have $7,000. Besides, most of our [up-front costs] were done through credit cards. I even showed him the receipts.”

T-Flatz said he’s not sure if Marley knew about the $7,000 that Lewis was requesting. Marley said during the video that Lewis misled him by saying he never received a deposit. T-Flatz said the deposit was already factored into the package deal.

“I prefer dealing with Victor because to be honest Ky-Mani is a little intimidating,” T-Flatz said. “But perhaps I should have dealt with Ky-Mani directly.”

Many fans were chanting Ky-Mani’s name and were stunned when they found out he wouldn’t appear, T-Flatz said. Many asked for refunds, which created a nightmare for the promoter because some tickets were purchased through third parties.

As a consolation, Marley performed a free concert to a standing-room only crowd at Tantes Restaurant in Maui on Sunday night. T-Flatz says Marley vowed to “make this right” before he departed Monday. He promised to return in the future to perform a concert.

T-Flatz says he and his partners will take a financial hit but he holds no ill will against Lewis. “It’s all about love,” he said. “I just want to make it right.”

Lewis did not respond to a request for comment.

Montserrat’s Victor E. Lewis appears in tense video with Ky-Mani Marley to address Maui concert no-show

By

Montserrat Spotlight Staff

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February 11, 2019

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Artist manager Victor E. Lewis, a native of Montserrat, appeared in a 6-minute video Monday along with international recording artist Ky-Mani Marley in order to address Marley’s no-show at a concert late Saturday in Maui, Hawaii.

During the tense and sometimes awkward video that appeared on Marley’s Facebook page, Lewis accepted responsibility for Marley’s absence at the concert — dubbed “Bob Bash” — and admitted he received a deposit from the promoter but told Marley otherwise.

“Unfortunately, I was misled to believe that I was not paid by the promoter by Mr. Victor Lewis here,” Marley said during the video. He then turned to Lewis and asked him to explain.

“We did receive the amount that was to cover the cost of Ky-Mani’s performance,” said an obviously beleaguered Lewis, who was quickly interrupted by Marley, who said, “Not we, not we.”

Marley, son of music legend Bob Marley, performed in two other shows in the islands earlier in the week, in Kona and the capital Honolulu.

“I apologize to Ky-mani for putting him in this position,” added Lewis. “There’s no excuses. I apologize to the people of Maui … and most importantly Ky-Mani Marley for spoiling his reputation and putting him on the spot and in an awkward predicament.”

At one point, a seemingly exasperated and angry Marley turned to Lewis and said: “You have to apologize to all of the people in Maui who took their time and brought their children to this family event.”

The online publication Maui Now wrote an article on the incident, drawing many angry comments from local fans.

Bob Marley-themed concerts are held each February around the world in celebration of the music icon’s birthday (born February 6, 1945).

Lewis is a former architectural student who transitioned to the entertainment business. He is the CEO and Managing Director of VicRae Inc., a platform that handles artist management, music publishing, media production and even fashion. The company’s client list includes mostly reggae artists.

Attempts to reach Lewis for a comment were unsuccessful.

Jim Allen batting highlights

By

EDWIN L. MARTIN

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February 9, 2019

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Mighty Warrior & Young Warrior

By

EDWIN L. MARTIN

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February 9, 2019

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Montserrat’s talented Stevel Rodney gives new meaning to ‘calypso cricket’

By

EDWIN L. MARTIN

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February 9, 2019

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stevelpics — Photo credits: Leeward Islands cricket and Discover Montserrat.
Stevel Rodney is shown at left after being selected to the Leeward Islands under-19 team last July, and at right competing in the Montserrat calypso finals on December 30, 2018.

The term “calypso cricket” has long been used to describe the exciting form of the game that is played in the Caribbean. It’s an entertaining, aggressive approach that catapulted the likes of Garry Sobers, Viv Richards, Brian Lara and even Montserrat’s Jim Allen to international stardom.

For Stevel Rodney, “calypso cricket” takes on more of a literal meaning. That’s because he’s actually a cricketer and a calypsonian. He loves both, takes both seriously and admits he doesn’t take disappointments well. At the tender age of 18, his level of participation at the local level has been remarkable.

In cricket, he has represented Montserrat at every level of youth cricket: under-13, under-15, under-17 and under-19. Last summer, the Leeward Islands Youth Cricket Tournament was held in Montserrat. Stevel, a middle order batsman and spin bowler, excelled and was selected to the under-19 Leeward Islands team. That squad competed in the West Indies under-19 tournament in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, but Stevel was limited by a back injury.

Stevel, who grew up in Judy Piece, first became interested in cricket while in primary school. His first idol was Lionel Baker, the former fast bowler who is the only cricketer from Montserrat to play in a Test match for the West Indies team.

“I use to see him running through our village and that inspired me,” said Stevel, who says Baker is one of his mentors today. “We sit down and talk and he tells me what I have to do to reach the next level.”

As far as calypso, Stevel made his debut in 2011 during the Junior Calypso competition held annually as part of St. Patrick’s week. He entered again in 2012 and 2013, then made the leap to the senior calypso show in 2014 at age 14 (he’s believed to be the youngest entrant ever). He reached the semifinals that year and also competed in the Soca Monarch show. In 2015 he reached the calypso finals and finished eighth. He skipped 2016 and 2017, then returned in 2018, finishing eighth again in the finals.

“What I really like about calypso is the fact that I can give my opinion about things happening around me,” says Stevel, who often tells his writers the topic he’d like to sing about. “Calypso really helps build your confidence.”

*Stevel Rodney is flanked by younger brother Seigel*
*and mom Ausdelle Johnson*.

Stevel, who graduated from the Montserrat Secondary School in 2017 and now works as a clerical officer at Inland Revenue, is not afraid to step on toes. One of his songs from this past festival, The Life of a T.C., details some incidents that have occurred within the government that Stevel deems to be unfair. Stevel won two ancillary awards during the 2018 calypso finals: Most Improved, and the William “Ruler” Murrain Crowd Favorite, which is determined by crowd applause.

Cecil “Cepeke” Lake, leader of the Black Rhythms band that plays for the calypso competition, has written calypso songs for Stevel over the years.

“He’s a very brave kid,” Lake says. “It wouldn’t surprise me if he wins the crown one day. I also admire his desire to contribute to the development of Montserrat, whether in calypso or cricket. I wish more young people were like that.”

Stevel’s foray into the calypso genre is not surprising. He comes from a family of performers, especially in calypso. His grandmother, Rosalie “Tanty” Johnson, sang calypso and soca during the 1980s. His grand uncles Owen “Drago” Johnson and Roland “Kenzie” Johnson” are etched in Montserrat Festival history – Drago as a former Road March champion and Kenzie as a three-time calypso monarch. Stevel’s cousin,
Garvin “Scrappy” Johnson, is a multiple Soca Monarch and Road March winner in Montserrat and is an international performing artist.

In the 2000s, Stevel’s mom, Ausdelle Johnson, competed in the main Calypso and Female Calypso competitions and also during the Police and Fire Week calypso competition.

“I saw the potential in him for the calypso very early,” Ausdelle says of Stevel. “One year I competed in the Police calypso show. Stevel was about 2 years old at the time. After I won, he came on stage, took the mic and started singing the song I had just won with.”

So Stevel’s entrance into the calypso arena was almost a rite of passage. However, if he were forced to pick calypso or cricket, he would definitely choose cricket. “My next goal is to make the West Indies under-19 team,” he says. “There are definitely some things I need to improve like my strength. I also need to consolidate my innings when I’m batting.”

Stevel, who has had a serious growth spurt in recent years and now stands 6-foot-3, also played basketball with the Montserrat Secondary School Warriors while in school and competed in local tournaments. He played small forward, point guard and shooting guard. By the way, he also excels at table tennis and soccer.

Ausdelle knows Stevel is ambitious and determined, and she’s proud of what he has accomplished. But one of her challenges has been getting him to temper his expectations. “He likes to win, and if he doesn’t win he will keep going until he wins,” Ausdelle says. “But I told him that sometimes it’s just not your time yet.”

You can’t blame Stevel though. With his talents it’s fair to say he’s ahead of his time.

Montserratian’s new app could be a major boost for live music scene in Caribbean

By

EDWIN L. MARTIN

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February 9, 2019

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Contract Signing — Linda Dias, the chief architect for the Government of Montserrat, has launched a new app that could be a welcome convenience for the music industry. "There's still a lot of work to do," she said. "But I'm proud and excited."

It is often said that necessity is the mother of invention. Well, there’s a new exciting app on the market — and it is the brainchild of a Montserratian.

As the girlfriend of a musician, Linda Dias knows about the challenges of the music industry, from networking to logistical. With the launch of her mobile app company, Bodio Inc., she has created a one-stop platform that will streamline information for musicians, promoters and fans alike.

Dias, who grew up in Richmond Hill, already has an important day job: She is the chief architect for the Government of Montserrat. But she took on the personal challenge of creating the app, which she believed would bring much-needed convenience to the live music scene.

After coming up with the idea, she entered the i2LPitch competition held November 22, 2018, at the Montserrat Cultural Centre. Dias was voted winner of the Senior Category, but she admits that at the time the app was still very much a concept. The actual development would be much more difficult to navigate.

First, she had to change the name of the app. It began as Gig-a-Bite, but Dias found out that name was already registered in the United Kingdom. After much consternation, she came up with the name Bodio (Booking Directory Online). But another challenge awaited.

“How do I get out a beta tester without having to go to an app developing company that will probably charge about U.S. $20,000 to get off the ground?” Dias asked herself.

But the resourceful Dias was able to find an alternative — and less expensive — solution. She has also been the beneficiary of sound advice.

*A screen shot of the new Bodio app is shown above.*

Dias’ boyfriend, Chris Goodridge, plays rhythm guitar with the Barbados-based band 13/59. He has been instrumental in suggesting ideas for the app. Dias’ father, Buell Bart — a musician who lives in Antigua and goes by the name “Strings That Sing” — has also provided feedback. “Sometimes he calls me like 20 times in a day,” Dias says chuckling.

Among some of the benefits of the app, which is free:

*The app’s BoDirectory provides a registry of bands, musicians, DJ’s, lyricists, producers, event promoters and venues to make it easy for talent bookings. “Let’s say a band has a gig and their bass guitar player is sick,” Dias explains. “They can go on the app, check and see which [bass guitarists] are closest to you.”

*Bodio Connect, a feature of the app, is a social networking medium for musicians to create professional relationships, exchange ideas with others in the entertainment and hospitality industries, and market themselves.

*Users can browse through Bodio News, a one-stop shop for global updates in the entertainment world. Fans can follow their favorite artists and venues to learn what’s scheduled and who’s performing.

With the app still in the beta phase, Dias plans to gauge feedback and ultimately make improvements to the app. “I hope one day to expand it to actors and others in the entertainment industry,” Dias says.

Although the process has been tiring, Dias is proud of what she has accomplished in such a short time. She spent most of December and January “working overtime” to prepare the app for launching.

“There’s still a lot of work to do,” she said. “But I’m definitely excited.”

Note: The free beta version of the app is available on iOS and Android platforms worldwide for direct download at www.bodioapp.com.

Dr. Eddie Donoghue interview

By

EDWIN L. MARTIN

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February 6, 2019

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Rose Willock reminisces about winning Miss Montserrat title

By

EDWIN L. MARTIN

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February 6, 2019

9

00000_Capture_5 — Rose Willock, shown in 2012, talks about her journey to win the Miss Montserrat title.

Rose Willock refers to Montserrat as her “Little Valhalla.” It’s not a throwaway phrase or casual platitude. Her love of country is profound and tangible. Her civic involvement, cultural promotion and community outreach stretches back more than five decades.

The first nine years of her life were spent in Trials and Kinsale Village, during which time she attended St. Patrick’s and Kinsale Primary schools. Later on she lived in Long Ground and then in Plymouth. Along the way, she established a crucial level of visibility and endeared herself to the public through her congenial demeanor and love of service.

In 1965, Rose was teaching at the Cork Hill Primary School. It was her third year as a teacher following her graduation from the Montserrat Secondary School. Aside from teaching, she was heavily involved in cultural organizations. She was a member of the Carnival Joy Promoters, a group she first joined while at MSS. The Joy Promoters designed costumes for the annual festival, organized princess shows and also formed a dance group that performed at social functions such as cocktail parties at Government House.

Rose also played netball and was a member of the Shamrock Players, a “play reading” group featuring nationals and expatriates. Yes, her plate was full. But that was fine. She enjoyed consuming everything about Montserrat. “At that time you got involved in whatever was happening,” she explains. “As young people we never allowed ourselves to be bored.”

So by the time Rose was recruited as a contestant for the Festival Queen Show by the Jaycees, she was well-known on the island. She and the four other contestants – Christine Carty, Mary Greenaway, Avonelle Rachael Lewis and Gloria Liburd – were ecstatic to be involved. They all knew each other. It was a competition, but it didn’t feature the tense rivalry and drama that defines other pageants.

“We all supported each other,” Rose says. “As a matter of fact, I was rooting for my cousin and best friend Christine Carty to win. But that didn’t mean I was going to hold back. I was also very competitive.”

Rose did not have trouble finding a sponsor. Annie Eid, longtime proprietor of a variety store in Plymouth, agreed to be Rose’s benefactor. Eid’s son, Errol, designed Rose’s costume, which featured a sunflower theme. “He was very artistic, very creative,” Rose says. “I just loved that costume.”

The Queen Show at that time featured only two major segments: costume and evening wear. Each contestant was also interviewed on Radio Montserrat prior to the big show, which was held at MSS. A stage was built in the school yard facing Church Road. There was reserve seating, and the event was formal. “Everybody dressed up for the Queen Show in those days,” Rose says. “It was not casual at all.”

Rose’s costume and evening-wear segments went off flawlessly, and as time drew near for the judges to announce their decision, Rose had a sense that she had prevailed. “I could tell based on audience reaction.” When the results came in, Rose Willock was crowned Festival Queen 1965, edging her cousin Christine.

Back then, the crowning of the Festival Queen was almost like an actual coronation. The queen was draped with a flowing cape, given a scepter, and fitted with a sparkling tiara. “It was very regal,” Rose says. “It was like, ‘introducing … Her Majesty.’ ”

Asked what separated her from her rivals that night, Rose said: “Nerves. I think nerves got the best of the other girls. It’s not easy going on stage in front of so many people. I love people. I feed off people. But for others it was not that easy.”

Rose’s grand prize was a trip to Barbados. She was chaperoned by Mrs. Daisy Nanton, whom she refers to as her “other mother.” It was the first time Rose had traveled anywhere farther than Antigua. As an ambassador for Montserrat, she got to interact with people on different levels during her time in Barbados, from dignitaries to the masses. On a personal level, she met several family members for the first time who resided in Barbados.

After her reign as queen, Rose’s community involvement didn’t wane. Rose says teaching was always her first love. After leaving MSS, she turned down a job offer from a local bank and applied for a teaching position. Little did she know that her future would be in broadcasting. While at MSS, she served as a volunteer at Radio Montserrat (ZJB). That informal internship proved vital. She learned the ropes about broadcasting. Years later, she had a moment of clarity.

“One day I was listening to a Barbados radio station and I thought to myself, ‘Hey, [broadcasting], that’s the way to go! I can have a much bigger audience and still teach.’ ”

She began working at ZJB in 1966. She joined rival Radio Antilles from 1976 until 1989, when Hurricane Hugo wrecked the station’s transmitter. She returned to ZJB in 1990. She never stopped teaching, however. She taught dance and served as a substitute teacher at MSS.

She also remained involved in the queen show, serving as a judge, host and chaperone, helping at least four contestants capture the crown. And although the prizes have evolved greatly since Rose was crowned, with winners receiving a brand new vehicle, the show has been canceled several times because organizers were unable to find contestants.

From 1962 to 1987, a queen show was never canceled due to lack of participation. From 1988 to 2017, it happened five times, excluding years affected by natural disasters. Rose says the No. 1 reason some girls are reluctant to participate is a lack of confidence.

“I get a little sad when I interact with some young people, sometimes 17 and 18 years old, and they don’t know what they want or where they’re going. We need to allow young girls to grow in confidence and competence.”

“A lot of the contestants have not established themselves at the community level,” Rose says. “If I could give them any advice it’s, be involved. Build your confidence, look at people in the eye when they talk to you. Give a firm handshake. Smile, and the world smiles with you.

“I get a little sad when I interact with some young people, sometimes 17 and 18 years old, and they don’t know what they want or where they’re going. We need to allow young girls to grow in confidence and competence. They benefit, and the community benefits as well.”

CLICK HERE for a list of all the Montserrat Queen Show winners.

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