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Basseterre, St.Kitts (December 22nd 2015):- The 36th Edition of the Most Prestigious Show of it’s kind the Haynes Smith Miss Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant may be the stage for another historic moment for the Pageant and the federation of St.Kitts-Nevis. 18  Year Old Neila Jones may make history by being the first Nevisian contestant to win the Caribbean;s premier Pageant.

 

With a heart and passion for vocalizing issues affecting young people, Neila Jones has long made an impact on the island of Nevis. In 2011 she was elected Vice President of the Gingerland Secondary School’s Student Council, and has entered many contests over the years. As a third former, she participated in the local Express Yourself Poetry Competition and won. She then represented the island at the National Competition. In 2012, she participated in the Imelda Wilkin/ NAAP Effective Speaking Competition in St. Kitts and placed 3rd. Neila also participated in the Mr. and Ms. Talented Youth Pageant in 2009 and placed First Runner Up. In 2013 she made a second attempt at pageantry as she had fallen in love with the process at her first attempt. Her school, the Gingerland Secondary School held a pageant in the honor of their 40th anniversary and Neila emerged victorious.

That same year she was voted Junior Minister of Tourism in Nevis. She traveled to Martinique where she earned the title of Caribbean Junior Minister of Tourism, a first time accomplishment for a representative from Nevis. In her capacity as Caribbean Junior Minister of Tourism, Neila traveled to Barbados to participate in a televised panel discussion on the topic “Tourism the Y-Factor” where social issues affecting the Caribbean were discussed. In September 2014, Neila ended her reign as Junior Minister of Tourism by hosting the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Youth Congress in St.Thomas.

In April of 2014, Neila proudly received an award for Youth Impact from the Youth and Sports Department of Nevis, and was later selected to host the 2014 Independence Program at the Charlestown Secondary School and Nevis Sixth Form College, which she performed with distinction. In November of that same year she was awarded as one of the 25 Most Remarkable Teens in St.Kitts and Nevis in the category of Youth Activism and Humanitarianism.

This vibrant 18 year old also enjoys singing, dramatizing and spending time with her friends.

Her passion for the arts, public speaking and helping young people led her to play the role in a short film entitled “Tears of Joy” which was written by her former Chemistry teacher, Mr. Richard James Galloway. The film raises awareness on the issue of bullying. To further bring awareness on the subject of bullying on the island, Neila was selected to be a guest speaker at the Elizabeth Pemberton Primary School in October of 2015.

In keeping with her passion for public speaking, she was selected as a 2014-2015 debater for the Nevis Sixth Form College, and participated in the Leeward Islands Debating Competition 2015 held in St.Kitts.  On the only night she competed, Neila won the title of Best Speaker Award.

Neila is anxiously awaiting the opportunity to represent Nevis and compete with her Caribbean counterpart in the Haynes Smith Miss Caribbean Talented Teen 2015.

Neila firmly believes that perseverance is indeed the key to success and will display this when the mega event comes around next Tuesday December 29^th .

 

According to show observers and historians Jones  brings the right combination of talent, intellect and enthusiasm which all are essential characteristics of a successful Miss Caribbean Talented Teen Queen.

Hundreds of friends, family and the general Nevisian public are expected to make the short ferry journey to St.Kitts on Tuesday  29th to give support to Neila’s  quest to make history.