Tiva Lee Samaru, Miss Carival hopeful

When the announcer called out her name that night in October 2002 at NBN’s TT Miss World competition, 20-year-old Tiva Lee Samaru was elated to know that she would represent Trinidad and Tobago at this year’s Miss Carival Pageant in St Vincent (come Friday July 4). But she is accustomed to receiving accolades, for the brainy Arima beauty had also copped the Miss Body Beautiful title in that same competition, not to mention sweeping the Miss Physique, Miss Amity and the Best Evening gown titles at the Miss Teen TT show in 2001. Did I also mention that she won that show as well? But Samaru’s life is not just about pageants, for she has a serious head on her shoulders. The former North Eastern College (Sangre Grande) and St Joseph Convent student possesses eight O’ Level subjects and is presently working towards attaining an Associate’s Degree in Hotel Operations at the Hospitality Institute in Chaguaramas. Incidentally, she’s got a twin sister, Taleah. “Being a twin is the closest thing to being a celebrity, because everybody knows both of you,” she said with a laugh. However, their career paths are not as identical as their appearances, as Taleah is serving our country as a member of the TT Coast Guard. “But it was she who ‘forced’ me into entering the pageant, really,” Samaru confessed, laughing all the while. “You see, this is really my first major pageant. Now my sister doesn’t like pageants much, even though at one time she used to model. But after she joined the Coast Guard, she started to enjoy the military life more than civilian life, so modelling doesn’t appeal to her as much. She was the one who suggested that I enter the pageant though. I mean, it wasn’t going to cost me anything  to send the resume, now! (Giggles). So it really was a shocker to get through and to reach this far. But I’m proud and happy about my upcoming trip to St Vincent for the Miss Carival Pageant.”

To date, Trinidad and Tobago has had two Miss Carival Pageant winners one of whom was Brenda Joy Fahey (who represented TT at the 1985 Miss Universe pageant). The pageant started some 15 years ago and originally began as a Carnival pageant in St Vincent, to highlight the various costumes of the Caribbean region. It’s since evolved into a showcase of talents and cultures and it was just within the last six years that Latin American countries have become involved. Interestingly enough, 2002 was the first year that the St Vincent and the Grenadines representative, La Ferne Fraser won the pageant. She will be giving up her crown on July 4. At the pageant, Samaru will compete against representatives from eleven countries (Antigua-Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St Kitts & Nevis, St Martin, French West Indies and Venezuela)... but she’s not worried. For one thing, the Miss Carival Pageant is one of the few where the contestants have to perform a talent besides the standard costume, swimsuit, evening gown and interview sessions. “I guess this will be my first talent-based competition; I’ll be playing the steelpan and doing an interpretive dance,” Samaru said proudly. “I’m going to introduce my song first, so I’m coming out dancing with the pan sticks, and I’ll be making my way to the pan and after I do my pan piece, (there will be a chair centre stage) so I will dance, using the chair. Very interesting! Actually my confidence level is really high right now, not too bad. I guess it’s because I’m still in the preparation stage, so I don’t know about when I do get there. I’ve been getting a lot of help from the team at NBN and having former Miss TT Universe Josie Ann Richards and Pauline Raynor take care of my vocal coaching is absolutely wonderful, because they are both knowledgeable in their respective fields.

The Inn Collection is giving me swimwear too, and Legends (Big Mike and Ian) are handling my costume, called Trini 2 D Bone. Best of all, my gown is being done by Heather Jones and Anthony Brownie Mc Farlane...and I can’t wait to see the final product!” Samaru admitted that she would like to continue to enter pageants while completing her degree, but she has high expectations for her upcoming appearance in St Vincent and the Grenadines. Her biggest supporters in this venture are her parents, especially her father. And if you’re wondering if she’s single... sorry guys, she’s in a loving relationship with her boyfriend of 18 months. Right now, she’s enjoying the experience and like past pageant winners (who she emulates) like Giselle La Ronde-West, Arlene Peterkin-Alario and Wendy Fitzwilliam, Samaru intends to do her country proud. “In closing I want to say a huge thank you to everyone that has supported me, taught me and helped me to get this far, especially those involved like NBN, Butch Limchoy, the media, everyone who made contributions to my wardrobe, my family and friends. Also, it’s my hope that I will return to Trinidad and Tobago on the 9th of July, with my crown for all of you.” We wish Tiva Lee Samaru much success in her venture.