Heritage Queen: Victory feels like a dream

Amaiya Yeates still can’t quite believe she won the 2024 edition of the Tobago Heritage Personality.

At the show, at the Shaw Park Complex on July 11, Yeates, representing the Les Coteaux Close Connection Cultural Club and the Les Coteaux Community, beat six other competitors to take the title.

Yeates, 22, who is in the final year of her degree in theatre arts at UWI, St Augustine, spoke to Newsday on July 15.

“Honestly, no matter how many persons prompted that I would have won, and I knew that I had all the qualities and talents to win this competition, it felt surreal and still feels like a dream. I feel elated, proud and relieved that the sleepless nights and long days endured in preparation weren’t in vain.”

She said it had been one of her mother’s dreams to compete in this show, “And I was able to achieve her dream and walk in her footsteps of winning another queen show.

“Also, I am elated since during my reign as queen, I would use this opportunity to introduce some of my ideas for my community of Les Coteaux and Tobago by extension.”

She said walking away with the title was a surprise, even though: “In competition you have to try your best to be consistent or place high in all the categories, so that your points will be high throughout, and I know I accomplished that.” She said her support system going into the competition was strong.

“Firstly, God: without him nothing is possible.”

A lot of people supported her, she said, but: “There were two driving forces behind this win. My mother, Mrs Giselle Donaldson-Yeates, my role model – her creativity and drive are one of the reasons I am so successful, not only in this competition but in life. I am my mother’s child...I possess a lot of her qualities – creative, dramatic, competitive, a people person and very outspoken.

“Also, Mrs Rayshawn Pierre Kerr, my talent writer and director – she dedicated her time and energy over and beyond during the preparation for this competition.”

She said nights leading up to the show were long sleepless ones.

“We went from the general rehearsals for the talent, gown-fitting and rehearsals to portray the gown. I was really drained and tired, but thankfully I loved and enjoyed what I did.”

She also won for best gown portrayal and people’s choice.

“The gown was designed and constructed by Ronald Guy James out of Trinidad. I was representing the Orisha Goddess of the River and Oceans, Yemoja.

“The inspiration for the gown came when my mother told him she wanted me to look like I was floating on water, so he put pen to paper and made our vision come to life. We are truly thankful for his brilliance and creativity.”

Next on her agenda, she would like to do her master’s in marketing, as well as a degree in special effects makeup.

Her prize is $10,000 in cash as well as $25,000 towards a scholarship.

Her mother, a teacher at the Scarborough Methodist Primary School, said when she heard the results her stomach did somersaults.

“The competition was high, as I felt that all the girls were talented and intelligent, so we had to bring our A-plus-plus game. We left no stones unturned, and I sourced all the best in each category to get the best job done.

“I am beyond proud and humbled. My heart is filled with philosophic joy, as I also feel so accomplished, since I have won many other queen and personality shows, but never got the opportunity to enter this competition, since I was always older than the age-limit requirement. So sending Amaiya to enter this competition was always my dream.

“This is a huge achievement for Amaiya, as her name has gone down in Tobago’s history as Miss Heritage Personality 2024. I am and will always continue to be her number-one supporter.”

In second place was Klavier Simpson, representing Rhythmic Vibrations. Simpson also took the titles of Best Talent and Miss Intelligent. Betsy’s Hope’s Kina McMillan took the third spot and Miss Photogenic. McMillan’s gown, designed by Shakeil Jones won best design. Concordia/ Mason Hall’s Senika Ceasar was adjudged Miss Amity.