Development Bank partners with the 2016 Gingerama Festival Committee

Charlestown, Nevis (December 12, 2016) — The Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis (DBSKN) is partnering with the 2016 Gingerama Festival Committee by way of sponsoring one of the four contestants in the Miss Gingerama Queen Pageant, the 21-year-old Ms Zai Kelly of Rawlins Village.

To announce the partnership, a brief ceremony was held at the Bank’s branch office in Nevis on Friday December 9, where Manager Ms Hyacinth Pemberton received the Chairman of the Gingerama Festival Committee Mr Eric Evelyn, the Chairperson of the Miss Gingerama Queen Pageant Ms Esther Brookes, and the contestant.

“The Development Bank is happy to be associated with the Gingerama Committee,” said Ms Pemberton. “This is our first time on board and we are happy to be on board. As part of our sponsorship this year, we are happy to be sponsoring one of the 2016 Gingerama Festival Committee Pageant girls, Ms Zai Kelly who is from Rawlins Village.”

Chairman of the Gingerama Festival Committee, Mr Eric Evelyn, expressed how delighted he was that the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis had decided to come on board in terms of sponsorship for Gingerama 2016, and described the institution as an excellent corporate citizen.

“The Development Bank has been at the forefront in terms of sponsorship of sporting activities, development projects in communities and we are happy that they are partnering with the Gingerama Festival Committee for sponsoring Gingerama 2016,” said Mr Evelyn. “The support for the banks comes from the community and it is always good when they can give back to the community and of course the persons who are actually supporting the bank.”

He explained that when Gingerama was hosted back in 2001-02 the Miss Gingerama Pageant was very much a part of the festival. He however noted that when the festival was revived last year they had a Miss Swimwear Pageant, but this year they have decided to bring back the Miss Gingerama Pageant.

“So we are indeed happy that one of our contestants will be sponsored by the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis.” said Mr Evelyn. The 2016 Gingerama Festival is being held under the theme: Reviving our Culture, Sustaining our Heritage.

According to the Miss Gingerama Queen Pageant Chairperson, Ms Esther Brookes, there are four contestants taking part in the pageant that will be held on Friday December 16 starting at 8:00 pm at Croney’s, Old Manor Estate, in the area opposite Market Shop in Gingerland.

Thanking the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis for sponsoring one of the four contestants, Ms Brookes commented that the pageant is helping in bringing out the young women and giving them the confidence and the courage that they need to do things like those as it actually helps them build their own self-esteem, and help them to represent St. Kitts and Nevis when they go forward in their lives.

“In the pageant, we are going to have four judged segments,” noted Ms Brookes. “The first segment is going to be dealing with the culture of St. Kitts and Nevis, but particularly Gingerland. So they will be representing a certain area in Gingerland that they will talk about and they will display maybe costumes or clothing that will speak to that.

“Following that would be their talent segment and after that they will have the evening wear segment followed by an interview segment. So it is a full pageant – it is not just something that they go up, they have to put work into it. They have to do research and they have to put all their pieces together to make it a real cohesive show.”

Ms Zai Kelly, who is Contestant Number Four was pleasantry surprised when it was revealed to her that the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis would be her sponsor because when she used to work for a security company, her posting was at the Nevis branch of the Bank.

“When they told me I would be sponsored by the Development Bank the first thing that came to my mind – I used to work here,” said Ms Kelly. “I love the place… it has have fantastic people. I am hoping to represent the Development Bank well, as it is a place where your dreams become a reality. I would like everyone to come out and witness this pageant and see who will be crowned Queen.”