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By Loshaun Dixon
An evening filled with school pride, pageantry and high standards unfolded at Warner Park on Saturday as ambassadors from eight secondary schools participated in the 2025-26 Republic Bank Teen St Kitts and Nevis Pageant, officially launching the Sugar Mas 54 pageant season.
Emerging victorious was Tatiyana Archer of Immaculate Conception Catholic School, who was crowned the Queen after amassing 406 points. Miss Archer’s win was widely praised by patrons and viewers online, with the show earning strong reviews for its quality and the maturity displayed by the teenage contestants.
Miss Cader Rawlins of Washington Archibald High School was named first runner-up, Miss Celina Alwani of SKI Academy second runner-up, and Miss Camira Williams of Verchild’s High School third runner-up. All eight ambassadors were commended for delivering a polished and entertaining production before a sold-out audience.
Less than 24 hours after the crowning, however, celebrations were overshadowed by an unimaginable tragedy. Archer’s mother, Janet Johnson, a well-known and highly respected pageant coach, passed away suddenly. Ms. Johnson had been showered with praise only hours earlier after witnessing her daughter achieve the coveted title.
For more than three decades, Ms. Johnson made an indelible contribution to pageantry and the national carnival, mentoring and uplifting countless young women. She was also the coach of the current Miss St Kitts and Nevis Queen contestant, Taerani Phillip. Her passing sent shockwaves through the carnival and pageant community, prompting an outpouring of tributes recognising her dedication, passion and lasting impact.
The St Kitts and Nevis National Carnival Committee said it was “deeply saddened by the tragic and sudden passing of Ms. Johnson.” In a statement, the committee described Johnson as “the epitome of a stalwart in our community,” noting that she “poured her heart and soul into every pageant contestant that she coached.”
“For over 30 years, Janet contributed immensely to our national carnival, living and breathing the spirit of pageantry,” the statement continued. “Her passion and dedication touched countless lives, and her recent win with her daughter is a testament to her enduring legacy.”
The committee added: “We will remember her strength, her dedication and her unwavering commitment to uplifting our young women and setting the highest standard for pageantry in St Kitts and Nevis. Rest in peace, dear Janet. You will be missed but never ever forgotten.”
Despite the heartbreak, Saturday night’s pageant will be remembered as a defining moment for youth pageantry in St Kitts and Nevis — a celebration of talent, discipline and school pride — and as part of the enduring legacy of a woman who devoted her life to shaping excellence on the national stage.
The pageant showcased spirited school pride, with each ambassador backed by organised blocks of supporters cheering loudly for their respective schools. SKI Academy captured the School Spirit Award, impressing judges and patrons alike with colourful glow sticks, placards and noisemakers in support of their contestant. It marked the school’s first appearance in the competition.
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