Magnificent Kenisha will make TT proud

Miss Dingolay, Kenisha Thom, will be the first representative from the sister isle Tobago to represent the country at a beauty pageant abroad. Kenisha is one of the Magnificent Seven contestants vying for one of seven titles including the chance to represent Trinidad and Tobago at the Miss Universe pageant. She is happy and excited. As a matter of fact, Kenisha didn’t even realise it until our interview. “Oh my god, I’m gonna be the first Tobagonian. Words can’t express how I feel. You know, I’ve never looked at it like that!”

Miss Trinidad and Tobago beauty pageant 2004 is the first of its kind, in that each delegate taking part will be a winner. All seven ladies will have the opportunity to represent this country at a beauty pageant abroad. This year is Kenisha’s second entry into the Miss TT pageant and, as she revealed, picking up and trying again does indeed pay off. The 20-year-old grew up in Mt Marie, Tobago, and spent her teenage years in Lowlands. Two years ago, she said farewell to her family and friends, coming to Trinidad in pursuit of studies in accounting. No institution offers the course at tertiary level in Tobago, she said. “I was a bit skeptical leaving home, but anxious and afraid to be on my own. But then I couldn’t wait to explore life. I was leaving my family, my mother, father and three brothers.”

Her family is a close-knit one. “Every morning we prayed together, and I’m sure that my mother still does it even though I am not there. Sometimes she will call me to remind me to say my prayers. They have always been there for me.” Her father, Gregory Thom, is a stevedore who works at the Port Authority in Tobago. Her mother, Finita Carrington-Thom, is an Agricultural Science teacher at Bishop’s Anstey in Tobago. Life in Trinidad has been challenging. “It’s fast-paced,” she said. “People here are always in a hurry, never stopping to say hello. Tobago is laid back. I miss the love and togetherness of family. Now I’m making decisions on my own.” Reminiscing on her childhood days, she said: “The neighbours raised me. They’ll cook and send food over. Tobago is like a village, everybody has everybody’s back. And people have the misconception that Tobagonians only eat ‘blue food.’ Like every child, I wanted fries, pasta, snacks. I don’t even like provisions. I prefer rice, peas and stew chicken.”

She misses hanging out with her brothers Keoma, whom she respects and welcomes his advice, and Kerlon, “with whom I disagree a lot, probably because we were both born on October 30,” and Keilon, whom she adores. When the villagers spot Kenisha on the streets, they call out to her “as Mr Thom’s daughter” and wish her well. When asked for one word which describes her best, on her brief biography, Kenisha answered “energetic” — hence her designated title “Miss Dingolay.” She really is. At school, Bishop’s Anstey, she was quite active in sports — tennis, long jump, discus, shot putt, volleyball, netball, track and field — and dancing. “I was also a member of the school drama club and my mother would always tell me to drop one, but I didn’t, I knew I could balance it, when it came to exams I gave up some.” She attained O’Level passes in Maths, English, Biology, Computer Studies, Agricultural Science, Principles of Accounts, and Principles of Business.

She was also a member of the Rhythmic Vibrations dance group which won several Best Village titles. She admitted: “I was a Tom-boy... I still have my boy side, but I’ve sharpened my feminine side.” She tries hard to eliminate “the Tobago dialect” from her speech and believes she has mastered the art of walking on heels. “I entered the pageant because it was something I always wanted to do. I felt now was the right time. Nothing looks far-fetched to me. Once my goals are realistic, I put things in place to achieve them. Two years ago I would have said ‘no.’ I was never a heels person. I was a bit thick and didn’t have proper eating habits. Now I’m ready and ready means believing in yourself. “I think for Tobago, this is a great success. Girls before were never successful in the screening process. I see myself as having a responsibility now, and being an exemplar for the youth.” She said that it was common for “Trinbagonians” to have misapprehensions about beauty pageants.

She emphasised: “Beauty shouldn’t be just skin deep, but your inner beauty must shine through. People still judge you on beauty and until we can get that across to them, only then we can get their support. We need that support from the country during the journey, and not only when we get the crown.” Kenisha is a motivational speaker and big sister to the children at Sylphil’s Children Home For Love, in Tobago. “I try to encourage them, to help them to appreciate life as it is... I love children, I believe they are our future. When a child is in a situation, they feel neglected so it is our duty to show them love and affection; they didn’t ask for this, they didn’t ask to be here.”