The Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission (ABFC) proudly congratulates Antigua and Barbuda’s reigning Carnival Queen, Kia Kirwan, on her outstanding performance at the Miss OECS 2026 Pageant, held on Friday night in the Commonwealth of Dominica.
Kirwan captured the title of First Runner-Up and multiple segment awards, including Miss Amity, Best in Swimwear, and Best in Evening Wear, affirming her excellence, grace, and consistency across key judged categories.
The coveted Miss OECS 2026 crown was awarded to Miss Dominica, Tanisha Balson, following a dominant showing that included Best Creative National Wear, Best Performing Talent, and Best Evening Wear. Miss Anguilla, Ariel Bushay, placed Second Runner-Up and secured the awards for Best Promotional Video, Best Swimwear, and Best Response to Question.
Segment Awards – Miss OECS 2026 Results
- Best Promotional Video – Miss Anguilla, Ariel Bushay
- Miss Amity – Miss Antigua and Barbuda, Kia Kirwan
- Best in Creative National Wear – Miss Dominica, Tanisha Balson
- Best Creative National Wear – Miss Dominica, Tanisha Balson
- Best Performing Talent – Miss Dominica, Tanisha Balson
- Best in Swimwear – Miss Antigua and Barbuda, Kia Kirwan
- Best Swimwear – Miss Anguilla, Ariel Bushay
- Best in Evening Wear – Miss Antigua and Barbuda, Kia Kirwan
- Best Evening Wear – Miss Dominica, Tanisha Balson
- Best Response to Question – Miss Anguilla, Ariel Bushay
Overall Placements
- Winner – Miss OECS 2026: Miss Dominica, Tanisha Balson
- First Runner-Up: Miss Antigua and Barbuda, Kia Kirwan
- Second Runner-Up: Miss Anguilla, Ariel Bushay
Ambassador Elizabeth Makhoul, Chairperson of the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission, praised Kirwan’s achievement, stating: “Queen Kia has represented Antigua and Barbuda with distinction, elegance, and authenticity. Her performance at Miss OECS 2026 reflects not only her personal dedication but the strength, confidence, and cultural pride of our nation. We are immensely proud of her accomplishments and the exemplary way she carried our Antiguan flag on the regional stage.”
The Honourable Daryll S. Matthew, Minister of Education, Sports and Creative Industries, also commended Kirwan’s success: “Kia Kirwan continues to be an exceptional ambassador for Antigua and Barbuda. Her achievements at Miss OECS 2026 demonstrate the depth of talent, discipline, and creativity that exists within our young people. She has once again made the nation proud and exemplified the values of excellence.”
Kirwan’s impressive pageant résumé includes being crowned Queen of Carnival 2025 in Antigua and Barbuda, earning Best Swimwear and a Top Five finish at the 2025 Miss Caribbean Culture Queen Pageant, securing First Runner-Up at the 2025 Essence and Mind International Swimsuit Pageant, and winning the Miss Antigua and Barbuda Labor Queen title in 2016.
The Miss OECS Pageant featured contestants from across the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, including Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and the British Virgin Islands, celebrating regional beauty, culture, intelligence, and unity.
The Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission once again congratulates Queen Kia Kirwan on her remarkable achievement and reaffirms its continued support as she proudly represents Antigua and Barbuda with poise, excellence, and distinction.
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