This man listened intently as his wife issued instructions about the care of her plants, which he had been entrusted to carry.-Photos Christopher Serju
Outgoing Farm Queen Gettinella Bonner (left) congratulates Melisa Henry, who, along with runners-up Martina Crosdale (second left) and Neisha McGregor, acknowledges the applause of the crowd.
Even his drummer in the background was impressed by this display.
While other winners were struggling to hold on to their prizes, this winner in the Slippery Pig competition kept a cool head and a firm grip on his piglet.
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Christopher Serju, Gleaner WriterANNOTTO BAY, St Mary:MELISA HENRY, a 17-year-old lower sixth-former at St Mary High School, will represent the parish at the National Farm Queen Competition during the annual Denbigh [color:66f9=blue !important][color:66f9=blue !important]Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show over the Independence weekend.
The teenager, who also took the Most Talented sectional prize, beat back the challenge of six competitors to emerge the 2013 St Mary Farm Queen at the 27th staging of the St Mary Expo held at the [color:66f9=blue !important][color:66f9=blue !important]Gray's Inn Sports Complex on Easter Monday. Second place went to Martina Crosdale, while Neisha McGregor was third.
With some amount of pre-judging ahead of the show, contestants paraded in formal wear and performed talent pieces. They also shared information on their backgrounds and plans for the future. The ladies went all out in their efforts to score points with the judges, and an appreciative crowd was generous in its applause.
In what was clearly a close contest, the judges admitted to having a hard job, with all four sectional prizes going to different contestants. Ayiesha Noble copped the award for Most Culturally Aware, with Crosdale voted Most Improved and McGregor judged Most Congenial.
Henry, who will sit examinations in June ahead of going up against 12 other parish queens at the Denbigh Show Ground, when the [color:66f9=blue !important][color:66f9=blue !important]Caribbean's premier agriculture show unfolds over three days, is still digesting her victory.
She told The Gleaner: "I was surprised to hear my name called. I was confident of making the top three positions, but being the queen is such a good experience. I met a lot of people who I can now call friends."
witnesseD the coronation
Henry's older sister and mother, who were on hand to witness the coronation, were delighted, and so was her grandmother.
The science student, who stands just two inches above the 5-ft mark, told The Gleaner that a friend was so happy she hugged her, and in the process, they almost fell down. Henry sent a picture to her brother, who lives overseas. He was very impressed by her latest achievement.
Her hometown of Annotto Bay and even among her four siblings (one sister, three brothers) are still adjusting to having a queen in their presence.
