Shondell Parks is Miss Big and Bold

Perseverance paid off for Linden’s giant model Shondell Parks who won the confidence of the panel of judges to grab the crown for the Linden Town Week 2010 Big and Bold competition while also walking away with four other special prizes.

From left: Second runner-up Nicole Brian Miss Binning Creek, Queen Shondell Parks Miss Kara Kara Creek and first runner-up Marlyn Baker Miss Jack Luther Creek.

The Miss Big and Bold Pageant started three or four years ago as just a fashion and bravery display for women over 225 pounds until 2009 when the Triple B promotion secured the franchise and turned the show into a competition among the women. For the inception Shondell has been participating and was always one of the crowd favourites. This year she was no doubt highly favoured by the panel of judges who awarded her the title.

Barbara Dougan, Miss Ration Store Creek; Samantha Williams, Miss Mother Evans Creek; Nicole Brian, Miss Binning Creek; Marlyn Baker, Miss Jack Luther Creek; Joann Regis, Miss Theater Creek and Shondell, Miss Kara Kara Creek all took to the stage at the Mackenzie Sports Club with a high level of confidence in stunning beach and cocktail attire and performing talent pieces with the hope of walking away with the crown. Their platforms were former creeks found at Mackenzie.

From the beginning to the end Shondell stood out as the favourite of the night which resulted in her walking away with the crown and the prizes for best beach wear, best body, best cocktail dress and best casual wear. Her name was the first to be called for the final three, followed by Nicole and Marlyn. Despite Shondell being the favourite most persons there felt that Marlyn had given the best answer to her question and was a clear winner on that basis.

Shondell was asked: ‘If you were crowned Miss Big and Bold what development would you like to see in your town and how would you help?’ Her response was: “I would like to see people stop littering, children getting more involved in sports and single parents coming on board and last but not least use a condom at all times.”

Marlyn’s question was, ‘If you were elected as a counciLlor of the Linden Town Council how would you represent the people in your community?’ In response she said, “First I would talk with the people of my community find out what issues they have and then take those issues back to the council and ensure that if not all, most of these issues are addressed.” In the opinion of many the latter was the better response of the two.

Some also expressed the view that Nicole’s cocktail dress was the best but she got the prize for best talent. It was felt too that the best body prize should have gone to Joann Regis. Nicole won the prize for best smile while Barbara Dougan who was the live wire among the group got the prize for miss congeniality.