Miss Bank of Saint Lucia Emerle Tisson, 23, was crowned the 2025 National Carnival Queen on Saturday night at the Pavillion in Rodney Bay.
The hospitality and tourism student from Choiseul delivered a consistent and commanding performance across all segments of the competition, earning multiple awards, including Best Swimwear (design), Best in Swimwear, Best Evening Wear, Best Embodiment of Grace in Evening Wear, Best Performing Talent and the Strongbow People’s Choice award. She also co-won the Best in Costume award.
Tisson was one of seven contestants vying for the title in this year’s pageant. As the winner, Tisson received a $25 000 cash prize and a full scholarship to complete a bachelor’s degree of her choice at Monroe College.
Nineteen-year-old Tatiana Clovis-Freitas, Miss Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, was named first runner-up. Clovis-Freitas, from Bois d’Orange won the awards for Best Second Interview and Best Carnival Costume Design. Freitas also co-won the Best in Costume award alongside Tisson.
The second runner-up title went to 21-year-old Kertrina Oculi, Miss JP Chenet. Representing Dennery North and the Mabouya Valley, Oculi won Best Talent for a dance performance and received the Miss Photogenic title. She was also the recipient of the Chairperson’s Award, selected by Carnival Management and Planning Committee Chair Tamara Gibson.
Additional prizes awarded during the competition included:
Best First Interview: Hadassah Romulus (Miss Dazzle Magazine)
Miss Congeniality: Kittle Symphorien (Miss Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort)
The event began on schedule and featured six judged segments. The panel of judges, which varied across segments, aimed to provide a more impartial assessment of each contestant’s performance.
Other participants in this year’s competition were:
Ziggy Kenya Vitalis, 24, Miss Caribbean Galaxy Real Estate, from Beausejour, Gros Islet
Shernia Phillip, 25, Miss Duty-Free Pointe Seraphine, from Piaye
Succeeding Shan Lucien, the 2024 National Carnival Queen, Tisson now takes on the mantle of cultural ambassador for the remainder of the 2025 Carnival season and beyond.
