Amber Brennan, 17, Miss St. James, is a high school graduate on her way to college to pursue a degree in Forensic Science. Brennan is using the pageant to connect to a cultural heritage she was denied and to find a part of her that is missing. An aspring model she is signed to New York modeling agency.
Felicia Smith, 21, Miss Tobago, attends Brooklyn College where she is majoring in Finance, Business Management and Urban Planning. She teaches mentors high school students, works as a bartender and promoter, and sells real estate. She hopes to open a non-profit organization to provide scholarships to Caribbean youth in New York.
Miss Trinidad & Tobago New York will celebrate the work of rehearsal director Jerry Jordan Brown with a special tribute at the Eleventh Annual show, Sunday, October 14, 2007, 7PM, Klitgord Auditorium, New York Technical College, 285 Jay Street, Brooklyn, NY.
The Eleventh Annual Miss Trinidad & Tobago New York will be held Sunday, October 14, 2007, 7PM, Klitgord Auditorium, New York Technical College, 285 Jay Street, Metro Tech, downtown Brooklyn.
The show will feature 12 young women, some born in the U.S., others who migrated or are studying in New York. St. James, Belmont, St. Augustine, Trincity, Plymouth, Tobago, Gasparillo, San Fernando, Claxton Bay, Sangre Grande, Port of Spain, Laventille, and Point Fortin are the areas where the contestants have relatives and will proudly represent on the night of the show.
Produced by Renee Cummings, Miss T&T New York promises a spectacular showcase of contestants in four couture catwalk categories, carnival costume, talent, and evening gown. The opening will pay tribute to the work of rehearsal director Jerry Brown who celebrates his 10 year anniversary with the organization.
From a domestic violence survivor to a young woman in search of the Trinidadian father she has never known, this year’s line-up of contestants for Miss T&T New York 2007 are as diverse as they are beautiful and talented.
Forensic science, actuarial science, pharmacology, pharmaceutical technology, medical billing, information technology, automotive mechanics, hospitality management, finance, urban planning, business management, marketing, psychology, nursing, and criminal justice are some of the areas of study being pursued by contestants in a contest that strives to show there is nothing more beautiful than an educated woman.
Tickets $40 Advance are available in Brooklyn at Conrad’s Bakery, 299 Utica Avenue, 718-773-8266, Gloria’s #3 Roti Shop, Nostrand & Sterling Avenues, 718-773-3476, and The Immigrants’ Journal, 1105 Nostrand Avenue, 718-756-3843. Tickets can also be reserved by email tickets@missttny.com For more information log on to www.missttny.com or call 212-340-1334.
Rehearsals have started for Miss Trinidad & Tobago New York. And the organizers are excited and pleased with the first group screened. However, the screening process has just started. If you are 17 to 28 years old and of T&T heritage living in New York and would love an opportunity to participate in the pageant please register online at www.missttny.com or call 212-340-1334. There are limited spaces so call NOW!
KHADIJA NICHOLAS, PARADED AS MISS PORT OF SPAIN
Khadija Nicholas is Miss Trinidad & Tobago New York 2006. The 19 year old Brooklyn native is a dance major at the State University of New York (Purchase). She has danced across the United States and internationally at major dance competitions and festivals, most recently, in Italy. She has also performed at Radio City Music Hall, in MTV’s Video Music Awards and Fashion Rocks with singer Beyonce.
What you are is God’s gift to you; What you make of yourself is your gift to God.
Anonymous
AN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OF GROUND-BREAKING MOMENTS IN THE WORLD OF PAGEANTRY
My name is Jerry Jordan-Brown, Rehearsal Director, of Miss Trinidad and Tobago New York. For nine years, I’ve worked closely with Renee Cummings, President of Miss Trinidad and Tobago, in producing an extraordinary and unique developmental program for young women.
We cannot forget three women whose beauty, exotic features, and brains made an unforgettable impact and headlines across the world. Janelle Penny Commissiong, of Trinidad and Tobago, became the first black woman to win the coveted “Miss Universe” title in 1977. The historic moment was televised live via satellite from Santo Domingo. Janelle also won the “Miss Photogenic Award” that night. Janelle said “Beauty belongs to all people it has no racial or geographical boundaries”. In 1978, in a surreal moment in pageant history, the first black Miss Universe Janelle Commissiong crowned her successor, Margaret Gardiner, a white South African.
In other moments of pageant history for Trinidad and Tobago came Giselle Jeanne-Marie La Ronde who copped the title “Miss World,” in 1986, at the Royal Albert Hall, London, England. Halle Berry represented the USA that year. Wendy Fitzwilliam reclaimed the title of “Miss Universe,” in 1998, in Honolulu, Hawaii, where she gave the world a taste of her country’s rich culture and history. In 1999, she crowned her successor Mpule Kwelagobe of Botswana. The Miss Univerese pageant was held in Chaguaramas, Trinidad and was the most colorful and vibrant show ever.
I have used these three winners as references and examples to show the ground-breaking achievements women of color have made in the world of pageantry. We must always lead by example in order to advance. At Miss Trinidad and Tobago New York we do not only seek beauty but brains as well. Developing the mind, body, and soul is imperative. Please check out our website at www.missttny.com.
Jerry Jordan-Brown