Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine January 2020 | Page 90

November 1st, 2019 saw the re-birth of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Pageant, which was last held 20 years ago. The revived pageant was hosted by the island of Dominica under the theme: Celebrating Harmonization and Integration in Pageantry. One contestant from six Eastern Caribbean member states participated. Odessa Merryman, representing the member state of Grenada, placed 2nd. Miss OECS 2019, 1st runner-up Odessa Merryman representing Grenada The gorgeous and multi- talented Odessa Merryman, Miss Grenada 2019, landed the 1st Runner-up prize in The Miss OECS Pageant held on the Caribbean island of Dominica on November 1st, 2019. This is Odessa’s first time participating in a regional pageant although she is no stranger to pageantry, having participated in similar events as a primary school student and also the Grenada National Carnival Queen Show in 2019, which she won. Odessa is a graduate of the St. Mark’s Secondary School. She completed her Associates degree in Psychology at T.A. Marryshow Community College. Odessa is currently employed with the Government of Grenada as a Teaching Assistant at the Florida Government School. Her future aspiration is to further her studies in the field of Psychology and one day become a certified Behavioral Therapist. Odessa’s keen interest and evident skills in the performing arts has resulted in a great deal of confidence on and off stage. Her mesmerizing performing skills landed her the Best Talent prize at the Miss OECS Pageant, where she performed a complex piece titled “Goddess of Drums”. She expertly manipulated multiple drums- from the traditional African Djembe drum to the marching band drum, the acoustic drum set and steelpan. All of these instruments resonated sweet music while she effortlessly recited poetry.