Terrific Tasia

"Oh my God! I am beyond words".

That's how Tasia Floissac, 23, of Castle Comfort reacted when she captured the coveted Miss Dominica 2016 title at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium Forecourt on Friday, February 5.

"This win signifies so much for me," she said. "I always wanted to participate in the Miss Dominica Pageant and ever since Nakita Bruno I always thought a small town girl can do it again and I am so happy."

She was sponsored by the Universal Martial Arts Academy and the Dominica National Petroleum Company.

Tasia captured the award for Best Talent. In a wonderfully performed song, she reassured Dominicans that though the island was brought to its lowest level it must never give in to its fears.

The new Miss Dominica added that consistency gave her the edge over the other five contestants and although she captured only one award, she ensured that she put her best foot forward in every round.

"God knows how tired, how exhausted I was and I am so excited that it is finally over," she said.

Following closely behind was First Runner-up Nawana Shillingford, 25, of Loubiere. The Dominica National Petroleum Company also sponsored Nawana.

Shillingford captured the awards for Best Swimwear and Best in Swimwear. She wore a white two-piece bathing suit embellished with sequins.

Britney Pharoah, 22, of Grand Bay was the Second Runner Up. Range Developments, an investor under the Citizenship by Investment Programme was her sponsor.

Pharoah captured the awards for Best Costume and Best in Costume.

In her costume titled "Her Place in the Sun", designed and built by Creative Dynamix, Britney was dressed in a black and silver leotard; she stood in the middle of a flower with the sun shining behind her.

"The costume features a brilliant Caribbean sun, rising over the dark clouds of despair, poverty, broken homes, crime, injustice and abuse of every kind, as represented by the symbols on the costume," said Ophelia Marie, the Master of Ceremony. "The beautiful Britney is the embodiment of this conquering spirit that can turn every challenge into a golden opportunity for success that opens up like a lovely lotus flower around us, reminding us that, with the right attitude we can all find our place in the sun just as she has".

Pharoah also won the awards for Best Evening Dress (titled Moon Struck and created by Uzuri International Designs) and Best in Evening Dress. Her simple, yet jaw-dropping black dress hugged her body perfectly.

"The majestic glow of the moon's rays penetrates through the evening's dark and illuminating reflections in this pitch black, silver highlighted evening gown," said Ophelia reading the official description of the gown. "Tonight, Britney glides on the ripples of the Crystal Riversmoving gently to the evening's breeze portrayed in her long and glittery trail and her smooth gliding strides."

Judy Toussaint, 21, of San Sauveur captured the awards for Miss Amity and Miss Photogenic, while Mernel Christmas, 21, of Campbell captured the award for Miss Intelligent.

The other contestant was Abigail Shillingford, 19, of Goodwill.