Shastaclaire (seated) flanked by Phung (right) and Kueh (second left) after the prize presentation ceremony.
KUCHING: Her captivating smile coupled with her ability to eloquently answer questions on stage were among the reasons Shastaclaire Drickerson was crowned Miss Cultural Harvest Festival 2017 in the finals held at Sarawak Cultural Village on Saturday night.
The 18-year-old of mixed Bidayuh and Punjabi parentage from Bau won RM3,000 in cash, a scholarship to study an eco-tourism course sponsored by NiiT College, a watch, complimentary stays at Riverside Majestic Hotel and Damai Beach Resort, a crown, trophy, sash and bouquet of flowers.
Shastaclaire also won the subsidiary titles of Miss Photogenic and Miss Beautiful Eyesight, with each victory awarding her RM700 in cash, a sash, bouquet of flowers and a 16R portrait with frame.
Coming in at second place was 25-year-old Phung Jin Wen who is of mixed Chinese and Iban parentage followed by 23-year-old Caroline Kueh in third who is also of mixed Chinese and Iban parentage. Both are from Kuching.
They won themselves RM2,000 and RM1,000 respectively, together with a trophy, sash, bouquet of flowers and complimentary stays at Riverside Majestic Hotel and Damai Beach Resort.
Subsidiary title Miss Talent World Harvest Festival went to Suziana Bong, who won herself RM1,000 in cash, a crown, sash, and bouquet of flowers while the Miss Fitness Riverside title went to Phung who won herself RM700 in cash, a sash and bouquet of flowers.
Earlier in the evening, the crowd at Sarawak Cultural Village were entertained with a musical drama titled ‘Tra Tra Land — Where Honey Sparkles’ which was conceptualised by Jane Lian Labang
The musical drama was performed by 120 artistes from Sarawak Cultural Village, Sistem Latihan Dual Nasional apprentices and students of Sekolah Seni Kuching.
Present at the event yesterday were Arts and Culture Assistant Minister Datuk John Sikie Tayai and Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Husain.