Miss ASW Aliyah Wayne crowned 2024 Labour Queen

By Makeida Antonio

The crowd inside People’s Place (ABLP Headquarters) erupted as it was announced that All Saints West’s Aliyah Wayne emerged the winner of the 2024 Miss Labour Queen Pageant last night.

Supporters adorned in orange from the All Saints West (ASW) constituency rushed to the stage to celebrate the victory of the newly crowned Queen who told Antigua News that she was overwhelmed with support from family, friends and the community at large.

“I feel loved, the support that I am receiving, it’s just an amazing feeling to be here. I would have struggled immensely in the beginning but it shows that hard work and determination pays off,” Wayne said in an Antigua News interview.

She recounted the long hours spent preparing for the pageant and how much she has grown from practice to the big stage to win such a prestigious achievement.

“For me, preparation was rigorous, I struggled a lot, especially with my walk but through hard work I got the crown!”, the 19-year-old rejoiced.

Wayne discovered her love for singing as a young child and her talent blossomed while attending the Antigua Girls’ High School. She has performed live as a guest artiste at the 2019 Carnival Queen Show and at the recently held Soothe event.

Her career aspirations include becoming a speech pathologist and she is currently pursuing studies in speech therapy.

Miss Labour Queen 2024 first words of encouragement to young girls and women in Antigua and Barbuda are, “Once you have strength, once you put your mind to something, anything is possible.”

Eight other contestants vyed for the Labour Queen crown including, Miss St. Paul – Kenesha James, Miss St. John’s Rural West – Eddyna Aska, Miss St. Paul  – Deneka Dublin, Miss St. John’s Rural East – Shermain Eustache, Miss St. John’s City West – Nevaeh Greene, Miss St. John’s City South – Shanakay McDonald, Miss St. George – Nechel James and Miss St. John’s City West – Dominique Trotman.

Labour Queen 2024 Miss ASW Aliyah Wayne also won Best Interview and Best Speech.

First runner-up Miss SJRW Eddyna Aska won Best Talent while second runner-up Miss St. Paul Kenesha James was awarded Most Photogenic (unjudged)

Miss SJCW Naveah Greene won Miss Congenial (unjudged), Miss Popularity (unjudged) and Best Swimwear.

Meanwhile, Miss SJCW Dominique Trotman was awarded Best Evening Wear.