‘I gave my very best’: Vernick Fulgence reflects on road to Miss District High crown

June 27 was a whirlwind for 17-year-old Vernick Fulgence, who walked away with the Miss District High 2026 title.

A recent graduate of the St. Lucia TVET Institute’s School of Sustainable Agriculture and Culinary Arts, the Dennery native competed as Miss DBS TV. She described the moment she was crowned as “surreal”, though she knows intimately the hard work that brought her there.

“Preparing for the pageant was one of the most demanding yet rewarding experiences I have ever undertaken,” she told St. Lucia Times.

Fulgence said learning to balance her personal responsibilities with the rigorous demands of pageant preparation was one of the first challenges she had to overcome.

“It required months of dedication and countless hours of preparation… There were moments when I felt exhausted and overwhelmed, but I reminded myself of the goals I had set and remained determined to give my very best.”

And that determination paid off.

By the end of the competition on Saturday night at the Human Resource Development Centre in Gros Islet, Fulgence had claimed four segment awards — Best Introduction, Best in Swimwear, Best Talent and Best Interview — before ultimately being crowned Miss District High 2026.

“The moment my name was announced as the winner is one I will cherish forever,” she said. “I was overcome with emotion and burst into tears of joy because all the hard work and sacrifices had finally paid off. It was a surreal feeling that is difficult to describe.”

Beyond the crown, Fulgence said she is leaving the experience with a stronger sense of independence and confidence, a renewed appreciation for perseverance, a better understanding of how to remain composed under pressure and communicate effectively, and a deep desire to inspire other young people to believe in themselves and not allow challenges to stand in the way of their goals.

“I want to show others that success comes through determination, consistency, and the courage to keep moving forward,” she said, noting that the support she has received since entering the pageant and winning the title has inspired her to continue competing.

Speaking to St. Lucia Times after the event, organiser Treasure Actille praised Fulgence’s dedication.

“Vernick was the most consistent contestant on the night of MDH (Miss District High),” he said. “She was highly determined to bring the crown not only to DBS but also to Dennery.”

Kayla Edmund, Miss Pretty Reflections, was named first runner-up and also captured the Miss Photogenic award. Second runner-up honours went to Evanelle Faucher, Miss Caribbean Grains Ltd, who also won Best in Evening Wear and the newly introduced Best in District Wear segment. Hayley Noley, Miss DJ C4 Soundsystem, placed third runner-up, while Kizzy Philgence, Miss NSDC, finished as fourth runner-up and received the Miss Congeniality award.

Actille said three of the eight contestants initially announced for the pageant did not make the final line-up.

Praise poured in following the pageant for the performances of the contestants and the eventual winner. However, based on feedback, questions were also raised about the event’s operations, logistics, and overall organisation. An altercation involving Actille and a group of individuals after the pageant also circulated on social media.

Actille, however, declined to comment on the incident.

According to Actille, Miss District High 2026 will go on to represent Saint Lucia in her regional pageant debut in December.