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The Birth of a Legacy: The History and Impact of the Haynes Smith Miss Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant
The Birth of a Legacy: The History and Impact of the Haynes Smith Miss Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant
The Haynes Smith Miss Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant was born on a humid Friday evening in 1979, during an inspired brainstorming session in St. Kitts. The goal? To establish a regional competition that celebrated the unique talents and cultural richness of Caribbean teenage talented women. Bold in its ambition and innovative in its vision, the pageant officially debuted in 1980—three years ahead of shows like Miss Teen USA—and introduced a new dimension to youth pageantry in the region.
A Cultural Institution
Since its inception, the pageant has set a gold standard for regional competitions. It has not only influenced similar events across the Caribbean but also become an anchor of Carnival celebrations in St. Kitts and an enduring symbol of Caribbean pride. With a strong focus on talent, intellect, and cultural presentation, the event celebrates the brilliance and promise ofyoung Caribbean women and provides a world-class platform for their development.
The pageant’s reputation for excellence is reflected in:
Broad regional participation
Thoughtful, meticulous planning
Seamless experiences for contestants, stakeholders, and audiences
It stands today as the most prestigious teen pageant in the Caribbean, renowned for its production quality and profound cultural impact.
Growing Regional Representation
The inaugural event in 1980 welcomed contestants from Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Nevis, St. Croix, St. Kitts, St. Thomas, and Tortola. Over the years, participation expanded dramatically:
Year Country Added
1981 St. John (USVI)
1983 Montserrat, St. Vincent & the Grenadines
1984 Trinidad & Tobago
1985 Barbados
1987 St. Lucia, Statia (Dutch)
1988 St. Maarten (Dutch), St. Martin (French)
1990 Guadeloupe (French)
1991 Martinique (French)
1992 Grenada
1994 Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico
2001 Cuba — first win by a Latino nation
2003 Venezuela
2004 Jamaica
The growing diversity of participants has elevated the pageant’s role as a truly pan-Caribbean
event, blending languages, traditions, and creative expression.
A Triumphant Return
After a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the pageant returned triumphantly in 2023. On December 30, the 41st edition was staged at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort Ballroom, reigniting regional excitement and setting a new standard of celebration and empowerment.
Empowering Young Women
At its core, the Haynes Smith Miss Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant is a powerful platform for:
Education advocacy
Community service
Cultural ambassadorship
Personal growth and leadership
Its focus extends beyond beauty—it nurtures confidence, sharpens skills, and celebrates
resilience. The impact of past winners reverberates across industries, institutions, and
communities, where they continue to be change-makers and role models.
Inspiring the Future
As the countdown begins to the 43rd edition of the pageant on December 29, 2025, the Haynes Smith Youth Club proudly recommits to offering:
A world-class production
Exceptional hospitality
Opportunities for regional camaraderie and cultural exchange
The legacy of the pageant remains vibrant, inspiring generations of Caribbean youth to showcase their talents, embrace their cultures, and become the best versions of themselves.
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