Danielle is back home

MISS Trinidad and Tobago to Miss Universe, Danielle Jones, who did this country proud by placing fifth in the pageant held in Quito, Ecuador, earlier this month, returned home on Saturday evening. Jones, dressed in a white skirt and orange top with a matching orange floral bag, looked tired but managed to keep her sparkling smile throughout the evening at the welcome reception at the VIP Lounge of the Piarco International Airport. She was scheduled to arrive at 7.40 pm, but her BWIA flight from Miami did not touch down until 10.15 pm. She was met by Minister of Community

Development, Culture and Gender Affairs, Joan Yuille-Williams and Peter Elias, the new franchise holder of  the local leg of the pageant. Several other queens were on hand to greet Jones, including Aqiyla Gomez who recently won the  Miss Model of the World contest in China and Miss La Reine Rive. Members of Jones’ family were also present. Jones was given a champagne toast and serenaded by saxophonist Pedro Lezama and H2O Phlo. Yuille-Williams in a short speech applauded Jones for making her country proud. She said Jones should serve as an inspiration to all, pointing out that not only was she beautiful, but had intelligence and poise.

The Minister said it was indeed sad that Jones’ mother had passed away weeks before the pageant, but said no doubt she (Jones’ mother) was present in spirit shining down on her at the pageant. The Minister did not say whether government will be honouring Jones and if so, in what way. In response, Jones said she was humbled and happy by the experience. She recalled comparing her mother to a butterfly, and said during rehearsals at the pageant, she got a gift of a butterfly from Miss Japan which to her signified that her mother was indeed present.