Battle for the crown | Territory to host first senior citizen pageant

The first Mr and Ms Senior BVI will be crowned on Sunday as part of a month of activities slated for Senior’s Month.

The contestants are Ida Magarita Barry-Pickering, Marilyn Norman Harvey,
Mariette Malone-Fahie, Nehemiah Prince, and Daniel Blyden.

They will compete in the introduction, cultural wear, talent and evening/dinner-wear rounds of the pageant which is to be held at the H Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) at 5 pm.

Several significant prizes will be up for grabs.

In an interview with BVI News, Programme Director Shirma George said the winners will be participating in upcoming activities throughout the territory.

“This will be the first pageant we have ever hosted,” she said.

In the meantime, other activities such as the ‘Not So Newlywed Game; will be held at the Eileen L Parsons Auditorium at HLSCC at 5 pm on May 19. There will also be a Seniors’ Ball on May 29 at the Marina Inn at 6 pm.

The month of activities will culminate with a Food and Cultural Fair on May 31 at the Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park from 10 am to 2 pm.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the senior’s movement in the British Virgin Islands.

More about the contestants

Marion Scatliffe

Scatliffe is an 81-year-old Long Trench resident and a mother of nine.
She was a former government employee and is an active member of the Belle Vue Methodist Church. She enjoys singing, cooking and modelling hats and homemade tailored fashion.

In 2010 she won the hat show at the August Tuesday horse race.
She is also a member of the East End/ Long Look Senior Programme.

Ida Magarita Barry-Pickering

Pickering is the 79-year-old mother of six and a resident of Sea Cow’s Bay.
The retired cook at Maggie’s Delicious Meals on Wheels now enjoys gardening, making arts and crafts and cooking in her spare time.

She is a member of the St Paul’s Anglican Church and the Sea Cow’s Bay Senior Programme.

Marilyn Norman Harvey

Harvey is a 76-year-old Road Town resident.T he retired clerk delights in meeting people, making arts and craft, painting and drawing. She is an active member of the St George’s Anglican Church and the Road Town Senior Programme.

Mariette Malone-Fahie

Fahie, 76, is the former owner of Marie’s Restaurant and the mother of four. The Fort Hill resident can be found travelling and shopping in her leisure time. She is an active member of the St George’s Anglican Church and is well known for her delicious meals and drinks throughout the territory.

Daniel Blyden

The 66-year-old Jost Van Dyke man is a former employee of the Moorings Mariner Inn where he worked for more than 45 years. During his tenure there, he held positions such as Gas Attendant, Store Room Clerk and Security Officer. The father of one enjoys fishing and mentoring young men in his community. These days he is a bus driver, a member of Church of God of Prophecy and the East End/Long Look Senior Programme.

Nehemiah Prince

The 81-year-old Major Bay resident is the father of two and hails from St Kitts. He has called the BVI home for the past 40 years and was previously employed at the Enid Scatliffe School for 37 years. Prince is a member of the Church of God of Prophecy and a member of the East End/ Long Look Senior Programme.