Newly crowned Miss BVI wants to spread awareness on sexual assault
The newly crowned Miss BVI, Jareena Penn said she will use her new platform to spread awareness about sexual assault in the territory.
Speaking with BVI News after her coronation on Sunday, the new queen said it was something she was passionate about. Penn, who was the runner-up last year had also spoken candidly and extensively on the topic in her vie for the crown.
“So, like I said last year, I started a foundation called YANA (You Are Not Alone). That is what it means, and it is a foundation that will bring awareness to sexual assault, and it is going to talk about different topics and make sure people are educated about it so that these things don’t continue to happen in our society. I will also partner with different agencies to ensure these things are being looked at and put in place to make sure these things don’t happen,” Penn said.
Meanwhile, Culture Minister and former Miss BVI Sharie DeCastro offered congratulations to Penn on her coronation and promised to offer support in whatever endeavour she chooses to pursue with her new platform.
“Ten years ago, I had this amazing opportunity to represent the Virgin Islands in this capacity and at that time I was an English teacher at the high school, and I am honoured and humbled to stand here today as the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs and Sports. It speaks to the foundation and opportunities that I believe Miss BVI gives,” DeCastro said.
“My platform at that time was education and youth development and to be here in this capacity speaks volumes to the opportunities that exist if you take advantage of this. I know that people think pageantry is just swimsuits, dresses, crowns, nails, and heels but for me, I believe it is more the platform. What do you go out there and fight for I encourage you to go out there and choose a platform that you truly believe in and you are passionate about and that will create change in your community,” the former Miss BVI added.
Despite not having a pageant this year because of limited funding and preparation time, the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee decided to crown Penn who was last year’s runner-up.
The new queen offered a response to people who might be doubting the validity of her crown because there was no pageant.
“Well, I wouldn’t know what exactly to say to them because everyone has seen what I had done last year and everyone has congratulated me and said that I really did outdo myself in the show last year and I do feel that the show last year really speaks volume for my crown that I am getting here today,” Penn said.
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Only the skinny ones need worry. The fat ones never assaulted. Crown should have gone to a fat one. 95% of women in BVI are fat ones. Winner should represent the population.
Ohh. The girl that should have actually won the pageant last year!! I see You
Don’t you realize that the winner goes on to international competitions…. If they chose a “fat one” as you suggested, she would never have chance of winning an international competition.
It really makes me sad that you feel this way. The fact that you think sexual abuse has a category is very worrisome. I am glad this young lady is campaigning so that she can enlighten the community about the seriousness of this issue.
Congrats to the young lady. Congrats hunny, you are beautiful.
Absolutely no issue with the young lady. No issue with her being crowned queen. The issue is with the Committee and their timing. Who’s idea was it to crown a new winner while the present winner is overseas representing us? It’s common knowledge there never wanted her to win anyway. That is clear. The thing is she was miles ahead of everyone else. She was not my choice but on the night coupled with the interview she won hands down. That’s is the problem with the BVI. How you do something like that is crazy. It lacks class.
All of you talking about the fat one going on to international competitions need to look @ the international competition requirements. The interview is heavily weighted internationally! This new queen came second to last in her own country’s interview competition. You need to be 5ft 6 and above to meet standard. This girl is not even 5ft tall. People can loose weight, she cannot grow! We are taller than average people. Please explain how we ended up with a queen the height of a door nob!