Allakey Francis, Miss Jamaica crowned as Miss Florida Caribbean 2002
By Brad Tafa Hemmings

The Annual Miss Florida Caribbean Pageant overcame the notorious sophomore Jinx on a pleasant Sunday evening, October 20th highlighting the people, culture and talents of the Caribbean region in a well-executed and classy production. Elite Entertainment Productions, the shows producer moved the pageant from last years Coral Springs Center for the Performing Arts to the Hilton Ft. Lauderdale Airport making the show more accessible to Miami-Dade, Broward and the Palm Beaches. The new location also provided for a more intimate setting, and this year also introduced a T-Stage bringing the delegates closer to their adoring audience.

The Eight delegates represented the diversity of the region representing not only the Islands of the Caribbean, but also the Caribbean communities of South America and Central America. Delegates from Barbados and Suriname were introduced this year for the first time and supporters from both countries came out in numbers to welcome their representatives to the Miss Florida Caribbean stage with flags and vociferous cheering.

On time for its second consecutive year the show began with the singing of the National Anthem of the U.S.A. by Shana Ryan dutifully reminding us to first give honor to the adopted country of most of the delegates and audience. The delegates were then introduced as they entered the stage in their National costumes. Makeda Waterman, Miss Barbados and Kisha Cools, Miss St. Lucia both wore colonial costumes of British influence, while Donna Theophille, Miss Dominica’s background in modeling established her immediately as a contender as she confidently strut the stage in a outfit showcasing an elaborate headdress. Allakey Francis, Miss Jamaica’s native costume also featured her headdress; the fruit basket worn by market women throughout the West Indies and Ianna Paul, Miss Trinidad and Tobago wore a costume inspired by carnival.

It was clear by this point who the crowds favorites were, the flags of St. Lucia and Suriname were in abundance, however the burden of choice would lay on the judges. The presence of one judge in particular Miss Janil Bird, Miss Antigua and Barbuda 2001 and a top finalist in the Miss Universe competition provided ample confidence that scoring would be both competent and fair.

The talent competition was next and while six of the eight delegates choose to sing, only one Miss St. Lucia sang a song with any Caribbean flavor; her rendition of No Doubt’s “Underneath It All” displayed her versatility as she performed Gwen Stephani’s part as well as Reggae-rapping Lady Saw’s ragga-lyrics. Of the other vocal performances of popular American songs, Miss Barbados’s powerful voice and masterful handling of the Alicia Keys song “How Come You Don’t Call Me?” came as a great surprise. Miss Dominica danced the Bellaire, the last surviving African dance in Dominica to a French-Creole song providing the audience with a more cultural performance, however it was Miss Jamaica’s performance art piece that clearly set her apart in this category as she danced around a fire performing a daring ritual chanting Sensemaya the Snake showcasing her agility as dancer and natural stage charisma as a performer.

The evening’s musical director Keith Lynn, a veteran of the Caribbean stage who once sang with Byron Lee and the Dragonaires kept the audience entertained with several songs from his catalog including “Empty Chair” to which he was accompanied by several members of the audience. Upcoming rapper Tino Brown whose sidekick almost stole the show with his dance routine also entertained the audience with songs from his soon-to-be released album.

The swimsuit competition would provide the audience with more than they could have possibly anticipated as the bikinis provided by Ritchie’s Swimwear were put to the test while clinging to the shapely curves of delegates such as Paulemarie Louis, Miss Suriname. Bettyna Beauchamp, Miss Haiti’s height and poise provided her with an edge, however a potent combination of fitness and confidence gave Miss Dominica a clear advantage in the swimsuit section of the pageant.

The evening gowns would provide the audience and judges with their final glimpse of the delegates before the final five were chosen. All were glamorous, Miss Belize, Miss Dominica and Miss St. Lucia all stood out, Miss Haiti wore a beautiful dress designed by the esteemed Jamaican designer Les Campbell, but it would be a bold outfit by the designer Cache with a daring open back worn by Miss Jamaica that would leave the lasting impression.

The eight delegates returned to the stage to be serenaded by Keith Lynn who sang “Portrait of My Love” while the judges tabulated their scores. After Lynn’s performance the show’s executive producer Ms. Jannice Davis took to the stage for a heartfelt acknowledgment of the production team, sponsors and attendees.

After much anticipation a bevy of prizes were presented to the delegates; Miss St. Lucia, clearly the crowd favorite walked away with 5 prizes including The Miss Congeniality Award, The Afiwi.com Internet People’s Choice Award and Best National Costume, Miss Jamaica and Miss Belize won two respectively. Miss Haiti won most photogenic while Miss Dominica won the swimsuit fitness award.

The top 5 delegates were called to the stage to answer the question each would pull from a hat held by last years emcee Dexter Ryan. The once energetic and rambunctious crowd was now quieted by the tense moments as the evening proceeded towards its culmination. Miss Barbados, Miss St. Lucia, Miss Dominica, Miss Jamaica and Miss Belize would all give excellent answers to their final interview question.

Clavette Russell, the reigning Queen took the stage while emcee Kevin Smith, known to listeners of “Sounds of the Caribbean,” South Florida’s longest running Caribbean themed radio show on WLRN 91.3 FM as “Ital-K” announced the highlights of Clavette’s reign. The final five returned to the stage, as Smith toyed with the crowds anticipation deliberately pausing for effect as he announced the second runner up Donna Theophille, Miss Dominica then Tanika Muslar, Miss Belize as first runner-up to the Queen, and finally Miss Florida Caribbean 2002, Allakey Francis, Miss Jamaica.

Among the several prizes won by Allakey Francis as Miss Florida Caribbean are; a week vacation to Jamaica courtesy of Air Jamaica, with hotel provided by the Hilton Jamaica, a cruise to the Bahamas from Discovery Cruise Lines and a $500 scholarship fund provided by Kimane Cosmetics Goldson Chiropractic sponsors Allakey Francis, Miss Florida Caribbean 2002.

Afiwi note: We at Afiwi.com congratulate Miss Florida Caribbean 2002 Allakey Francis, for a job well done, and we are particularly proud to note that Ms. Francis first became aware of the pageant through Afiwi.com. Congratulations are also due to Ms. Jannice Davis and Elite Entertainment Productions for another entertaining and enlightening evening. Lastly but certainly not least, we would also like to thank all of the delegates for representing their countries and the Caribbean so well (you were all winners), especially Ms.St. Lucia, Kisha Cools the first recipient of the Afiwi.com People's Choice Award.

• photos from the pageant

Miss St. Lucia
Kisha Cools

• Miss Congeniality
• Best National Costume
• The Internet People's Choice
• Advertising Sales
• Best Ticket Sales

Miss Jamaica
Allakey Francis

• Miss Florida Caribbean 2002
• Preliminary Interview Award
• Most Knowledgeable about the Caribbean

Miss Belize
Tanika Muslar

• First Runner-Up
• Scholastic Achievement
• Performing Arts Achievment

Miss Dominica
Donna Theopphille

• Second Runner-Up
• Swimsuit Fitness

Miss Haiti
Bettyna Beauchamp

• Most Photogenic

Miss Barbados
Makeda Waterman

• Community Service