Basseterre, St. Kitts, November 21, 2017 – The 28-year-old unique, charismatic, intelligent, talented and most importantly determined, Esonica Veira, who is representing the United States Virgin Islands in this week’s Miss Universe in Las Vegas, is the daughter of Kittitian parents.
She is participating in the preliminary events for Miss Universe and preparing for the Finals which will be held on November 26th, at Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas. The 66th Miss Universe Pageant will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday and features the most women competing for the title in pageant history.
Steve Harvey and Ashley Graham are hosting, while Fergie and Rachel Platten will perform.
Ms. Veira’s present journey can be followed on the Miss Universe US Virgin Islands FaceBook page. Persons can also vote for her on this FaceBook page and the Miss Universe website. The show will be aired on FOX Television.
Once she sets a goal for herself, she does not allow anything to prevent her from accomplishing that goal. She was born on June 8, 1989 on the island of St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands to her parents, Carlene Woods and Essington Veira both from St. Kitts, but who now reside in St. Thomas.
She is also the granddaughter of the late Maurice and Helen Woods of Bird Rock and the late Clarice Matthew of Middle Island and Lockhart Street. Her uncle is Michael Woods who presently resides at Bird Rock. Although she is the youngest of four sisters and two brothers, she is her mother’s only child. Esonica is a 2007 graduate of the Charlotte Amalie High School.
Esonica’s dream is to become a World Class Performer and top Fashion Merchandiser.
She studied of Make up Artistry and Fashion, as she has a unique sense of style and hopes to capitalize on that passion. Esonica also enjoys singing, dancing and modeling. She has been a top model in St. Thomas since nine years of age, beginning with the Roses and Champagne Agency. She has also participated in other fashion events including the Virgin Islands Top Model where she was a finalist, the Face of Shabeau in Barbados, winning the coveted cover model spot and the Caribbean Fashion Week Catwalk held annually in the Virgin Islands. Esonica’s list of accomplishments includes performing with her own dance group, Affinity, the Rising Stars Youth Steel Orchestra, the Charming Twirlers Majorettes, Starfest 10 Dancer and performing for various pageants and musical productions.
At the tender age of nine, Esonica sketched a map of her path to success, which included several pageants. In 1999, she entered the Virgin Islands Carnival Prince and Princess Pageant and was awarded 1st Runner Up, Best Evening Wear and Most Photogenic.
Esonica was eager to compete again but was wisely advised by her parents to wait until she reached the age of fifteen. On May 29, 2006, Esonica traveled to St. Croix to compete for the title of Ms Hal Jackson’s Virgin Islands Talented Teen. She was successful in winning that title and also won Best Talent and Most Photogenic. She then traveled to St. Maarten in July to represent the Virgin Islands in the International Pageant, competing against a field of 34 other contestants from the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. Once again, Esonica was successful and won the prestigious title of Ms Hal Jackson’s Talented Teen International, becoming the first delegate from St. Thomas to achieve that goal. This was the fifth win for the United States Virgin Islands, but the first for St. Thomas. Esonica also won the Best Talent category with an outstanding, high-energy dance performance, taking the audience back to the Michael Jackson era.
In August 2006, Esonica was selected to represent the United States Virgin Islands at the Ms America’s Outstanding Teen Pageant in Orlando, Florida. This pageant comprised of girls from the 50 States, the District of Columbia and the United States Virgin Islands. Esonica was impressive once again and won a scholarship award for her outstanding talent.
In September 2006, the 26th Legislature of the Virgin Islands unanimously passed a resolution, honoring Esonica Veira as the first representative from St. Thomas to win the Hal Jackson’s Talented Teen International title. Her name is now documented in Virgin Islands history. She was presented with her plaque in 2007 at a ceremony held at the Legislature.
Esonica also had a strong desire to vie for the title of Virgin Islands Carnival Queen. On April 14, 2007, she competed and won that title at the Lionel Roberts Stadium, also winning the categories of Best Talent and Best Evening Wear. She impressed the judges with her vocal skills, energetic dance routine and poise. She was once again an ambassador for the United States Virgin Islands.
In the summer of 2008, Esonica participated in the singing competition, V. I. Idol and was selected as a finalist. Esonica took advantage of her opportunity and entertained the audience with a full performance of song and dance.
Esonica competed in the Ms Virgin Islands America pageant in 2009 and was awarded 2nd Runner Up and the Fitness Award.
Esonica also competed in the Ms Virgin Islands Universe Pageant in 2010 and was awarded 1st Runner Up, Best Swimwear and Best Evening Wear.
On June 5, 2011, still following her dreams, Esonica once again competed for the Ms Virgin Islands Universe Pageant and was again the runner up. However, this time the top three finishers were presented with the opportunity to represent the Virgin Islands in International Pageants, and Esonica was selected to be the delegate from the United States Virgin Islands to compete in the Miss World 2011 Pageant which was held in London.
Esonica traveled to London on October 19, and participated in the preliminary events prior to the Finals held on November 6, 2011. Esonica was successful in making the semi-finals and finals of most of the categories. She placed second in the Talent Finals. The Grand Finale was held on November 6, 2011, and Esonica was awarded as a Top 15 Semi-Finalist, finishing in 11th place overall from a field of 113 Contestants.
Not missing an opportunity to showcase her love for fashion, Esonica was one of the selected models who participated in the 2011 and 2013 Virgin Islands Summer Sizzle Fashion Event held in St. Thomas and the British Virgin Islands.
Given another opportunity to be an Ambassador for the US Virgin Islands, Esonica was crowned Miss US Paradise Supranational in May 2013, and traveled to Belarus in August to represent the territory in the Miss Supranational Pageant, one of the Top 3 Grand Slam Pageants in the World.
Esonica participated in all of the preliminary events and placed 2nd Runner-up in the Talent Finals. The Grand Finale was held in Minsk, Belarus on September 6, 2013, and Esonica successfully made it to the Finals, finishing 4th Runner-up from a field of 84 Contestants. Esonica made history by giving the US Virgin Islands its first ever placement in the Finals of an International Pageant.
In 2014, Esonica was once again given the opportunity to represent the US Virgin Islands, this time at the Miss Earth Pageant which was held in the Philippines. Once again, she left her mark. Esonica won a Gold Medal for the Talent Competition, a Gold Medal for Best Teacher and a Bronze Medal.
On October 7th 2017, Esonica competed and won the title of Miss Universe US Virgin Islands. This show was held in Florida. It was initially scheduled to be held in St. Thomas, then Category 5 Hurricane Irma occurred, then it was re-scheduled for St. Croix, but Category 5 Hurricane Maria swept through the islands, both hurricanes leaving behind much destruction in the Virgin Islands. The organizers, not wanting to miss the opportunity to send a Delegate to Miss Universe, decided to host the show in Florida.
Esonica has proved her determination to excel at all levels and she is extremely proud of all of her accomplishments. This path was definitely sketched on her map to success.
There are three words that inspire this young lady throughout her journey, and they are “NEVER ACCEPT ORDINARY”
We wish her success and pleasant memories.
