Some of UCWI's finest students vied for the title of UCWI's Carnival Queen. After a very spirited competition, Shirley Anderson came out on top. After the contest, the carnival celebrations continued with J’ouvert.

Published Monday March 5, 1962

UCWI Carnival queen

The opening of the UCWI Carnival on Friday night was marked as usual by numerous contests, including beer-drinking, calypso, and twist competitions, and, above all, the Crowning of the queen.

21-year-old Jamaican arts student Shirley Anderson, sponsored by Mary Seacole Hall and wearing a costume of lamé gold, representing 'Carib Gold', was the winner of this year’s title. Her costume was a gold lamé bathing suit, with long sleeves, to which were attached long, gold streamers. Her prizes include a weekend at Tower Isle Hotel for herself and chaperone, a pass to the Carib and Odeon theatres, and three guineas.

Runner-up was Jean Penny-Cooke as the 'Rising Star'. She was dressed in a white bathing suit and her headdress was a star in black, reaching the ground.

The prize for the best costume went to Yvonne Crawford as the 'Lady of Spain'. She was dressed in a flowing re- and-black gown, complete with a lace mantilla held in place on her head with a Spanish comb. Runner-up in the best costume division was Barbara Grant as 'Dragonfly'. For her costume, she chose a peacock-blue bathing suit, with filmy wings attached to the back of it. Her headdress of peacock blue carried an antenna.

A large crowd gathered around the platform, built specially for the purpose at the Students' Union, decorated in black and red. It was a spirited audience which cheered loudly, encouraging contestants in all divisions. Several in the rear, and others outside who could not see the parade, climbed on cars and chairs, or the taller ones leapt up and down.

As the first contestant in the Carnival Queen contest, Beverley Neath, dressed as Robin Hood, made her appearance, wolf whistles could be heard. Other contestants included Jacqueline Alleyne as 'Ice Queen'; Barbara Nash, the 'Goddess of Leaves'; Jean Amiel, 'Essence of the Universe'; Janice Dillon, 'Queen of Lobsters'; Eve Palomino, 'Fountain Sprite'; and June Chung as 'Cupid'.

Selwyn Walter from Antigua was chosen Calypso King for his Calypso music, Finnigan. These contests were followed by the usual fetching to the UCWI Steel Band.

After the dancing, there was a mammoth march from the Students' Union right through the college, and J’ouvert began. It was early Saturday morning, and the revellers marched again to the 'Union' for a jump-up to Byron Lee and his orchestra, and the steel band.

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