By Saint Lucia Foundation of Texas – Wednesday, July 1st, 2015 at 1:32 AM

The Saint Lucia Foundation of Texas (SLFT) and its Board Members Lucia Bates, Cecilia Hepburn, Darlene James, Annicke Joseph, Tina Medard, Marvan Pilgrim and Peter Lyn Rene, are proud to announce that Miss Saint Lucia Teclesha Blanchard has won the inaugural Miss Caribbean Houston Pageant. Miss Blanchard was crowned on a beautiful Sunday evening at the Stafford Civic Center in Stafford Texas, a small city located on the outskirts of Houston, Texas.

This event was one of the last events taking place during National Caribbean-American Heritage Month, which is June every year.

Miss Blanchard thrilled the crowd with her spoken-word poem about The Helen of the West, dazzled the audience with her evening gown, and elated the Saint Lucians with her traditional dress along with a short Quadrille Dance, on the way to winning the Most Intelligent award, culminating with the Miss Caribbean Houston Crown at the end of the evening.

“It was a lot of hard work and dedication. I appreciate all my supporters and everyone who rallied around me during this time…I represent myself with grace, poise and dignity,” says Teclesha. Miss Blanchard has done Saint Lucia proud and we again congratulate her on her achievement.

Miss Blanchard also has the honor of being the face of the Saint Lucia Tourist Board’s Sé Sannou Diaspora Programme here in Texas and the Southern United States. The Saint Lucia Foundation of Texas had the rare honor and distinction to host the Tourist Board here in Houston on Thursday June 18, 2015 as they officially launched Sé Sannou in Texas. At that time, the Tourist Board requested Teclesha consider the prominent role of Spokesperson for the programme…which she accepted without hesitation. Her role as Spokesperson has now become elevated in light of her winning the Miss Caribbean Houston Crown this past Sunday.

Teclesha hails from an opulent Saint Lucian heritage which has invigorated her passion for people, and culture. It is her belief that it is not only imperative but a responsibility that she be an active member in her community. In keeping with the desire to give back to society and humanity she works as a case manager at IMPACT Early College High School in Baytown, Texas. Here she services underprivileged and underrepresented students who have been afforded an opportunity to graduate with a high school diploma and Associates degree simultaneously.

A proud Cougar from the prestigious University of Houston, she obtained her Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in Political Science and a minor in African American Studies. She aspires to achieve her Juris Doctorates to pursue a career as a corporate attorney, continue political activism, and help shape civil rights and social justice; thus coinciding with the National Anthem of the picturesque Helen of the West, “Sons and Daughters of St. Lucia, Justice, Truth, and Charity our ideal forever be!” Teclesha aims to represent with dignity grace and poise the true essence of Saint Lucia – The Land, The Light, The People.

Photographs as well as video footage are available from the pageant as well as an inclusive interview with Miss Blanchard conducted by CAHFT TV.

IMAGE: Miss Caribbean Houston Teclesha Blanchard