PUHI — It was all glitz, glam and sparkling dresses as Sarah Manuel was crowned Saturday night as the new Miss Garden Isle 2016 before more than 200 excited family members and friends. Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. and Miss Garden
PUHI — It was all glitz, glam and sparkling dresses as Sarah Manuel was crowned Saturday night as the new Miss Garden Isle 2016 before more than 200 excited family members and friends.
Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. and Miss Garden Isle 2015 Nicholette Levinthol helped crown Manuel as she dazzled the crowd in a stunning red dress while standing next to first runner-up Megan Souza and second runner-up Hokulani Reyes on stage at the Kauai Community College Performing Arts Center.
Just moments before, the audience was eagerly waiting as emcee J Robertson hyped them up for the upcoming reveal.
“One of these ladies is about to be the winner of the Miss Garden Isle 2016 Scholarship Pageant and will embark on a journey of a lifetime,” Robertson said.
Manuel, whose motto is “Never give less than your best,” graduated from Kauai Community College.
She is also a graduate of Kapaa High School who said one of her lifetime achievements is that she “has never had a soda.” She has danced hula for 12 years, and won the talent award for her hula performance.
The girls were judged on five phases, which included lifestyle and fitness, talent, evening wear, on-stage question and an interview with the judges before the night began.
Manuel’s platform was promoting a positive lifestyle through healthy living. Manuel also won the lifestyle and fitness category.
As the new Miss Garden Isle 2016, Manuel won a $10,000 scholarship to Argosy University and a chance at becoming Miss Hawaii. That opportunity can lead to a Miss America crown.
In total, the ladies were sharing $30,000 in scholarship funds from Argosy University. First runner-up Souza received $8,000, while Reyes received $6,000. Each of the contestants received a $2,000 scholarship in their gift bag.
The winners also received an assortment of tasty meals from around the island, from Smith’s Family Garden to Sheraton Kauai Resort at Poipu Beach.
Standing just a few feet away, Levinthol smiled and waved at the crowd, then hugged the new island pageant queen.
During an emotional final promenade, she thanked her friends, her family and Kauai.
“I hope to enjoy this experience again one day and don’t plan on this farewell being the last,” Levinthol said. “Thank you for allowing me to represent such a beautiful place with the most beautiful people, the Garden Isle.”
