Nevis: Read about two Miss Culture Swimwear Pageant contestants- ‘Shantel Leslie, Melisa Gumbs’

Nevis: Nevis Culturama Festival has outlined the profile of the two contestants participating in the 2022 Miss Culture Swimwear Pageant. 

𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐋 𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐋𝐈𝐄 – Miss Nevis Solid Waste Management Authority

Contestant No. 1 in the 2022 Miss Culture Swimwear Pageant

Shantell Abegail Leslie, born in Jamaica to mother Nicolene Williams but raised in the beautiful island of Nevis is an ambitious and talented young lady who loves singing and modelling.

Sha, as she is adorably called is a member of the Unchained Modelling family for approximately six (6) months and promises to be one of the top models in the federation as she is often selected and photographed for numerous promotional events. Shantell’s love for modelling peeked her interest in the Caribbean’s finest swimsuit competition, Culturama Swimwear Competition, where she intends to showcase her poise, confidence and impactful performance on stage.

Shantell’s personal motto is: “No one can determine my future but me” which simply means that she is determined to erase all doubt and all failures from her life and turn them into prideful and praiseful moments. 

She understands that failure is not fatal, success is not final, but it is the courage to continue that counts. Born on 31st December, 2003, a Capricorn, the GOAT, she is capable of being the best that she can be!

Miss Leslie aims to begin her journey later this year in becoming a flight attendant…The sky is the limit.

𝐌𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐀 𝐆𝐔𝐌𝐁𝐒 – Miss Stella’s Engineering

Contestant No. 2 in the 2022 Miss Culture Swimwear Pageant

“Like wildflowers, you must allow yourself to grow in places no one thought you would!”

24 years ago, a precious flower began to bloom in the lives of Junette Fraser and Morris Gumbs. Watered with love, care and values, this flower has blossomed into an unmatched beauty with a profound character.

Melisa Gumbs is that flower. A heart made of pure gold, paired with her compassionate spirit has fueled and propelled Melisa’s aspirations to become a Nurse. She has demonstrated this interest through volunteerism at the annual prostate screening clinic for 3years and rest assured if the pandemic did not happen her unwavering support would have been there. In further pursuit of attaining her desired career, Melisa enrolled at the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College in St. Kitts.

At the age of 20, Melisa became a mother and immediately shifted her focus to providing and caring for her son, for he is her world. To support her family, she works at Stella’s Engineering as an Administrator. 

She is no stranger to pageantry, having entered the Miss Charlestown Secondary School pageant, Miss Back To Roots and Miss Sapphire Swimsuit Competition. At this present moment, she is beaming with pride to be a contestant in this year’s edition of Culture Swimwear Pageant, emerging from the pandemic, as it is an avenue for self-growth.

She hopes to inspire young women, especially young mothers to remain resilient; for nothing is unattainable, just believe. Culture is the way we see and do things as a society, so she is hoping that her performance and spirit captures the essence of what culture is.