Trelawny produces first Festival Queen

Terry-Ann Tucker, (centre) just after her coronation as the 2001 Festival Queen last Saturday. She is flanked by Ester Rodriques, (left) first runner up and second runner-up, Linda Hudson. - Winston Sill

EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD TERRY-ANN Tucker created history on Saturday night, when she became the first contestant from Trelawny to take home the Festival Queen crown since the competition started 39 years ago.

Hanover and Westmoreland are now the only two parishes which have not produced a festival queen.

Terry-Ann, a Hampton High School graduate, was crowned at the coronation show held at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre on Saturday.

Terry-Ann, who also won the prize for the Most Culturally Aware contestant, placed ahead of crowd favourites Miss Kingston and St. Andrew, Ester Rodriques who copped the first runner-up position as well as the prize for the Best Performance and Miss Hanover, Linda Hudson, who was named second runner-up. Miss St. Catherine Nicole Robinson and Miss Manchester Kerryana Leslie completed the top five. Miss St. Ann Marlene Segre was adjudged the Most Congenial contestant.

Competition was fierce throughout as most of the contestants appeared quite intelligent and articulate and this was quite apparent in the interviewing segment of the show.

It may well have been her response to the question posed which propelled Terry-Ann to her winning position. When asked if she found herself stuck in an elevator with the Prime Minister and the leader of the Opposition what she would discuss, Terry-Ann was quick with her answer.

She said that she would talk about the lack of continuity when there is a change of government. She added: "I would tell them that as a people we need to unite and that will see to a better Jamaica."

Under the theme "The Emancipated Woman", the coronation show kicked off on schedule and would have been a perfect show, had it not been for the faulty microphone system.

Backed by the dynamic band Zinc Fence, the Arnett Gardens Dance Troupe opened what was to be an exciting show of talented performers. Some of the talent pieces were awesome while there were the occasional few which did not really hold the audience's attention for very long.

The evening gowns made from bandanna and silver showed the true versatility of the bandanna fabric. Entertainment for the night flowed smoothly. Abijah, George Nooks and VC, though performing only one song each, gave scintillating performances, which really moved the crowd.

The Zinc Fence band did a number of songs including their latest single, "Like A River", which clearly demonstrated the talent of these young people.

Although all could not be winners, the parish queens should be pleased with the number of gifts which were available to them this year as each contestant received a microwave.

In addition to receiving $70,000 and other prizes, Terry-Ann Tucker will have the opportunity to represent Jamaica in the Caribbean and North America.

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