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 !

Guyana, April 25, 2025 – As the nation mourns the heartbreaking death of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has expressed condolences to her family on behalf of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and called for full transparency in the ongoing probe.

During a press conference on Thursday, the Vice President described it as a “sad day for Guyana.”

He also made it clear that anyone within the Guyana Police Force (GPF) found to be involved in covering up the circumstances surrounding the child’s death will face severe consequences.

Dr. Jagdeo’s remarks come amid growing public outrage and scrutiny of the police’s handling of the case. He pointed to several troubling inconsistencies in the GPF’s initial report.

According to that report, Adrianna was at the swimming pool of the Double Day Hotel in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, with her grandmother and siblings when she reportedly disappeared around 13:00-14:00 hours. The police initially claimed that the hotel’s CCTV system was non-functional; however, footage from external sources reportedly captured Adrianna entering a red and black Toyota Raum, bearing registration number PSS 4684, which was later seen heading east toward Vreed-en-Hoop.

“If they have that footage (the police) and they put it in the statement…they should immediately release that footage,” Dr Jagdeo said.

“Something is wrong, and we have to get to the bottom of it. We are not going to rest until that happens. And whoever is culpable, whoever, if there is a coverup, people will face consequences; we are not going to tolerate this. This young girl should never have lost her life.”

Just 24 hours after issuing the initial report, the GPF acknowledged discrepancies in the information released and has since launched an internal review.

Dr Jagdeo also spoke of the emotional toll the incident has taken on Adrianna’s family, stating, “I saw a video of the father speaking and how distraught he was. The family deserves answers, and the people of this country need answers.”

The discovery of Adrianna’s body in the hotel pool after hours of desperate searching has plunged the nation into deep mourning. Frustration over handling the case has sparked protests, with citizens demanding justice and accountability.

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has since ordered the GPF to establish a special investigative team to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the child’s death.

“We must uncover the full truth of everything that transpired, and no resource or effort will be spared,” the President said via his official social media account.

President Ali also spoke directly with Adrianna’s mother, pledging the government’s full support in pursuing justice. President Ali has further instructed the GPF to compile a comprehensive report detailing all actions since the investigation began.

To support this, the government has ordered an independent autopsy and Barbadian forensic pathologist Dr. Shubhakar Karra Paul is expected to arrive in Guyana at 5:30 p.m. today to conduct the post-mortem examination.

VP Jagdeo also offered his condolences on behalf of the PPP to the families of Maline LaCruz, who was killed by her husband, along with her mother, Waveny LaCruz and sister, Sueann LaCruz. Maline’s younger brother, Ceon LaCruz, was also injured in the shooting and is in critical condition.

He said the government is committed to uncovering the details behind the shooting, particularly the legality of the gun used to kill the three women.

“Because if he had a legal firearm, after the assault, he was supposed to lodge the firearm … we will look at this matter,” he assured.

Montego Bay, Jamaica, April 23, 2025 – In a dynamic show of environmental stewardship, more than 50 volunteers converged at the Dunn’s River Watershed in Bogue Estate, St. Ann, to plant 300 trees in celebration of World Earth Day on Tuesday (April 22).

The initiative, jointly spearheaded by the Sandals Foundation, Forestry Department and Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), highlighted the vital importance of conservation in safeguarding the island’s natural environment and bolstering its tourism industry.

The volunteers, including 35 team members from Sandals and Beaches Resorts and 20 JFB firefighters, planted Blue Mahoe, Jamaica’s national tree, Cedar and Bitter Damsel seedlings.

These trees were chosen for their adaptability and significance to the local ecosystem.                                                                                                                                                                                Forest Manager at the Forestry Department’s Northwestern Region Office, Ian Wallace, told JIS News that the exercise not only honoured the environment, but also emphasised the critical role of conservation within Jamaica’s forest reserves.

“Earth Day reminds us of what the environment gives to us and why we must protect it. Bogue II is a 455-hectare forest reserve, used exclusively for conservation and education. Activities like these help to maintain the forest’s pristine condition while engaging the public in environmental stewardship,” he said.

Mr. Wallace warned against the illegal removal of trees, emphasising the potential long-term damage to tourism, water security and biodiversity.

“It is important for us to be mindful that whatever happens here in a negative way will impact the coastline very shortly. So it is important for us to understand that negative activities inland will affect the tourism product,” he underscored.

The event also highlighted the importance of corporate involvement in environmental preservation.

General Manager for Sandals Ochi Beach Resort, Gary Holgate, said the tree-planting initiative, which began in 2017 under the leadership of the Sandals Foundation, has grown steadily over the years.

He shared that since the programme’s inception, more than 3,000 trees have been planted in the forest reserve, underscoring the organisation’s long-term commitment to environmental sustainability.

“Even during COVID-19 lockdowns, we continued planting. Today (Tuesday), 35 of our team members joined the effort, many on their day off,” Mr. Holgate added.

Noting that the undertaking is “the genesis of real change”, the General Manager maintained that “every company should be part of this movement to ensure future generations inherit a healthy environment”.                                                                                                                                                                                           For her part, JFB Assistant Commissioner in Charge of Area Two, Julian Davis-Buckle, said the event aligns with the Fire Brigade’s broader environmental protection goals.

“For us as firefighters, we believe that conservation of our environment is very important. It helps us as firefighters, because we are approaching the bushfire season and we understand, when these trees are burned and not replaced, the detriment it can have on our environment,” she noted.

Firefighter, Brittania Walker, described the event as a meaningful first for her.

“I planted three trees, and it’s my first time doing so; it felt great to contribute in such a tangible way,” she shared.

Earth Day, which has been celebrated on April 22 each year since 1970, serves to promote environmental protection and awareness.

The year’s observance was held under the theme ‘Our Power, Our Planet’.

CONTACT: NICKIETA STERLING

Photo Captions:

Header: Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) Assistant Commissioner in charge of Area Two, Julian Davis-Buckle (left), and Secretary at the JFB Area Two office, Racquel Reid (centre), assist 10-year-old Shanoya Buckle with planting a tree during the Sandals Foundation’s Earth Day initiative at the Dunn’s River Watershed, Bogue Estate, Ocho Rios, St. Ann, on April 22.

1st insert: Regional Public Relations Manager for Sandals Ocho Rios, Lyndsay Isaacs (left), along with (from second left) General Manager, Sandals Ochi Beach Resort, Gary Holgate; Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) Assistant Commissioner in charge of Area Two, Julian Davis-Buckle, and Forest Manager at the Forestry Department’s North West Regional Office, Ian Wallace, plant a tree during the Sandals Foundation’s Earth Day initiative at the Dunn’s River Watershed, Bogue Estate, Ocho Rios, St. Ann, on Tuesday (April 22).

2nd insert: Forest Manager at the Forestry Department’s North West Regional Office, Ian Wallace (right), interacts with (from left) General Manager at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort, Gary Holgate, and Regional Public Relations Manager for Sandals Ocho Rios, Lyndsay Isaacs, during the Sandals Foundation’s Earth Day initiative at the Dunn’s River Watershed, Bogue Estate, Ocho Rios, St. Ann, on April 22.

Photos by Nickieta Sterling