Turks & Caicos’ rising star continues to blaze trails on the global stage

Providenciales, TCI – Turks & Caicos native Selena Grant, 24, is making headlines once again—this time as the cover star for the April 2025 issue of Vigor Magazine, an international publication celebrated for spotlighting fashion, culture, and emerging talent from around the world.

Grant, who first captured national attention in May 2024 when she was crowned Miss One Nation TCI, has since built a reputation as one of the country’s most multifaceted young women. In the past year alone, she has claimed 1st Runner-Up titles in both the Miss Universe Turks & Caicos pageant and the international Miss Global International competition. Her success on the runway, however, is only part of her story.

A dedicated community activist, Selena has contributed to humanitarian causes across the Islands, working with organizations such as United Way and Edward C Garland Yoith Centre and other outreach efforts. She also lends her skills to the medical field, currently serving as a lab apprentice at InterHealth Canada Turks and Caicos Islands.

Now, as the face of Turks & Caicos Fashion Week 2025, Selena is once again flying the national flag high. But this cover moment is not hers alone—it’s a shared triumph with the renowned model , runway coach, designer and photographer Kaye Cox, who not only photographed but also styled, directed, and retouched the entire shoot.

“I was incredibly honored to work with Kaye on this project,” Selena shared. “She’s a creative powerhouse and visionary. From concept to execution, every detail was hers—and I’m just so proud we could bring this vision to life together.”

Shot on the iconic shores of Providenciales, the editorial captures the essence of island elegance with a bold, high-fashion twist. The visuals, rich with cultural pride and artistic depth, immediately caught the eye of Vigor editors and landed both women their well-deserved spot on the cover.

This feature is another major milestone in Selena’s journey and a celebration of the brilliant women behind the lens and in front of it.

This marks yet another milestone in Selena’s modeling career and underscores her continued role as a cultural ambassador for the Turks & Caicos Islands.

From the stage to the studio, from the lab to the pages of an international magazine, Selena Grant continues to prove that beauty, brains, and purpose can go hand in hand—with women like Kaye Cox right there capturing it all.

Congratulations, Selena !

Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

Turks and Caicos, April 25, 2025 – Turks and Caicos national security leaders were deliberately vague about what led to their snap decision to shut down schools across Providenciales this week. The likely reason was to avoid panic after they were alerted to the dangerous and frightening prospect of what some anonymous sender planned to inflict upon the children, families and at least six private schools in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, has launched an active investigation following the receipt of suspicious emails to six schools earlier this evening.

At this stage, police intelligence has not confirmed the legitimacy of the threats. However, the police force is treating the matter with the utmost seriousness.”

However, holding onto the precise threat spelled out in those ghastly emails, meant parents remained frustratingly clueless about what was so serious that it prompted school officials, to late on Wednesday night, ask them to not to drop their children to school.

Schools which were in session complied with the police statement, though we understand there was no direct communication with school administrations.

Magnetic Media also learned that those now infamous emails, dispatched to half a dozen schools including the International School, Precious Treasures, Provo Primary and British West Indies Collegiate, contained a bone-chilling threat to shoot at the schools this Friday, April 25, 2025.

“…you’ve been randomly selected for a shooting I recommend to have minimal damage done to close the school.  You will be given a 24Hr notice and a 12 Hr notice, God bless.”

There was no blessing obviously and thankfully, no violence.  Some of the schools targeted with the violent email are still on Easter Holiday.

“A joint meeting between education officials and senior police officers was convened promptly after the emails were reported. The RT&CIPF’s Intelligence Unit is fully engaged and working to trace the origin of the messages.

We understand that these messages may cause concern and wish to assure the public that everything possible is being done to protect our school communities,” informed the police press statement.

The statement came after 10 p.m. on Thursday April 23.

The sender, identified in the email as ‘Charles Millson’ and issued the threat to multiple schools via their staff accounts about 12 hours earlier, just minutes before 10 a.m. on April 23.  In the subject line: ‘Close Down the School.’

In this age of hyper-advanced technology, the email probably emanated from a phony account created to perpetrate this crime, which is in violation of the Summary Offences Ordinance, where ‘causing fear’ is cited as a crime and the Firearms Ordinances, which carries a weighty penalty of a 12-year minimum mandatory prison time for possession of an unlicensed gun and ammunition.

Authorities are expected to update the public on the progress of the investigation and its next steps. Students will remain home on Friday.

PRESS RELEASE

FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND WELFARE

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Department of Social Development and Welfare hosted a profoundly impactful panel discussion, “Beyond the Law: How Can Communities Foster a Culture of Zero Tolerance for Child Abuse?” at Brayton Hall. This event brought together eight esteemed panelists, each a trained expert in their field, including:

• Mrs. Stacey Jogie (Education Representative)
  

  Mrs. Ashley Adams-Forbes (Director of Social Development & Welfare)

• Dr. Angela Brooks (Legal Expert)
• Mrs. Ashley Adams-Forbes (Director of Social Development & Welfare)
• Inspector Ensa Wilson (Law Enforcement Representative)
• Mr. Joseph Vixaille (Creole Community Representative)
• Mrs. Lucrecia Martinez (Dominican Community Representative)
• Rev. Alces Dor (Religious Leader)
• Dr. Amatti Sani (Medical Expert)

While the panel was rich with insight and expertise, the turnout from major stakeholders and the broader community highlighted a troubling truth: the stigma surrounding child abuse often prevents open dialogue. Many prefer the anonymity of online forums of myths, misunderstandings, and unqualified opinions by the naysayers, the hear Sayers, oppositionists and lore-bearers over engaging directly with solutions.

A matter as urgent as child abuse affecting the safety, well-being, and future of our children in the Turks and Caicos Islands, deserves the undivided attention of all.

As a society, we must collectively commit to breaking the silence, setting aside our differences, and supporting the agencies and individuals working tirelessly to safeguard our children. Child abuse is a serious concern that demands our collective attention and action. There can be no exceptions, no excuses, and no allowances for ignorance of the law or favoritism based on personal connections. Child abuse is child abuse, and it must be confronted with unwavering determination.

Inspector Ensa Wilson (Law Enforcement Representative)

This is a call to action for every citizen, organisation, and institution- Child abuse is everyone’s responsibility, and we all have a role to play in fostering safe, nurturing environments for our children to thrive.                                                                                                                                                                    The Department of Social Development and Welfare remains steadfast in its mission to safeguard the children of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Through ongoing awareness campaigns and educational initiatives, and in partnership with community stakeholders, the department continues to advocate for stronger measures to safeguard our most vulnerable members of society our children.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         For more information about the Department of Social Development and our programmes, please visit our website: www.gov.tc/dsd or email us at infodsd@gov.tc.

Contact numbers:

Providenciales: 1-649-338-4008

Grand Turk: 1-649-338-2684

North & Middle Caicos: 1-649-338-6411/12

Mrs. Stacey Jogie (Education Representative)

South Caicos: 1-649-338-6321                                                                                                                                                                                                                To report a safeguarding matter or concern to this department, kindly see contact information:                                                                                                                                                                                                                        MASH: 1-649-338-4013                                                                                                                                                                                                       mash@gov.tc                                                                                     reportabusetci@gov.tc

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