Shaniah Dick is Miss Grand Seychelles 2023 |11 September 2023
Shaniah Dick, Miss Grand Seychelles 2023
Shaniah Dick has been crowned the first Miss Grand Seychelles 2023.
The coveted crown was bestowed on the 19-year-old from Le Niole during a ceremony held yesterday afternoon at Labriz Gastro Lounge at Bel Ombre.
The event, organised by the Seychelles Pageantry Association, also marked the official launch of the new association.
Sponsored by Jouel boutique, it was Jouel’s representative, Tracy Esparon, who placed the 14-karat gold crown with 216 white diamonds on the head of Miss Grand Seychelles.
This was in the presence of members of the association, sponsors and other invited guests, including the winner’s father, Georges Dick.
It should be noted that the crown had been worn before by eight former Miss Seychelles.
Shaniah, who is doing her diploma in Social work at the National Institute of Health and Social Studies (NIHSS), will represent Seychelles at the Miss Grand International Pageant to be held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on October 25, 2023.
The beauty pageant is aimed at promoting peace in the midst of violence. Therefore, the contestants are to represent their country with the aim of promoting peace and unity.
“I did not expect to arrive this far and for that I feel very happy and very proud of myself,” said Miss Grand Seychelles, who noted that she was encouraged by her family and friends to take part in the contest.
Apart from her stunning beauty, her after-home care project to seek help for young people who have to quit foster homes at the age of eighteen years also contributed to her outstanding win.
She was chosen among four young girls during an audition held on August 5, 2023 at the Gastro Lounge. Their participation in the audition followed a public call earlier this year on social media by the association. The audition was held under the Miss Grand International Pageants’ set criteria.
“Many foster children do not have a family to go to after leaving foster homes and as a result many end up on the streets. I have witnessed many young foster children on the streets and even in prison where I am doing my attachment work, and this is as a result of them having nowhere to go after leaving foster homes. I will be looking out for support to kick start my project,” Miss Grand Seychelles said.
She added that for the time being she was undergoing intense training in communications, catwalk and makeup in preparation for her participation in the international pageant.
Other than her project, Miss Dick also plans to work closely with concerned stakeholders to promote peace such as holding peace and anti-bullying campaigns in schools and communities.
As for the newly launched association it comprises seven members – Gabriella Gonthier (chairperson), Solana Camille (vice-chairperson), Terry Carolla (secretary), and Melissa Pool, Kim Hoareau, Hubert Clarisse and Ruth Barbe as members. It should be noted that Ms Gonthier was not present at the event.
In her address for the occasion, Ms Camille said the association, which has a mission to empower women while fostering personal growth, confidence and excellence, will not be only about glitz and glamour but committed to uplifting women and helping them to shine in their own unique ways.
“The association’s primary goal is to provide a platform for women to showcase their talents, intelligence, and inner beauty. It strives to redefine beauty standards, emphasising that beauty is not just skin deep. Seychelles Pageantry Association goes beyond the stage. It aims to build strong, empowered women who can make a difference in society,” said the vice-chairperson, who thanked the sponsors and everyone else for their contributions.
In an interview with the press, member Melissa Pool said that they had no other choice but to organise the audition instead of a proper pageant to choose a contestant due to time limitation.
“We did an audition this year as there was not enough time to organise a pageant. We felt committed to sending one of our girls to the Miss Grand International since it is a pageant that promotes a good cause, which is one of the association’s first tasks,” Ms Pool said.
However, she noted that next year, the association will conduct a proper Miss Grand Seychelles to select a candidate for the 12th edition of the international event.
She added that the association will also organise other pageants where winners will get to attend international pageants.
Text & photos by Patrick Joubert
