Miss Jamaica World 2002, Danielle O'Hayon (centre) is flanked by her runners-up Miss Jamaica World Caribbean Leanna Prendergast (left), who placed third and Natalia Cassado, Miss Jamaica International. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer BALLROOM ONE of the Hilton Kingston Hotel, New Kingston, erupted in cheers and applause, while her grandmother 'touched the ceiling' a few times when contestant number three, Miss Jamaica Lottery Bingo Danielle O'Hayon, was announced as Miss Jamaica World 2002.
The 18-year-old O'Hayon, with classic old Hollywood beauty and grace, was one of the crowd favourites the minute she stepped on to the stage at Saturday night's Grand Coronation ceremony.
The newly-crowned queen could hardly believe that she had won, trying to express her emotions the beaming queen told The Gleaner, "I feel overwhelmed, excited, happy, I am just so glad."
She also admitted that while the winners were being announced, she thought the crown had gone to someone else, "I felt that I didn't have it at that stage, I thought Melissa (Roche) had won, and then they called my name," said Miss O'Hayon.
Melissa Roche was the young woman who had walked away with two sectional prizes, those of 'Best Figure' and 'Most Aware' and in pageants of bygone eras she would have been sure to have nabbed the crown. However, not on Saturday night, when the crown and the hearts of the Hilton ballroom belonged to Miss O'Hayon.
First runner-up and the title of Miss Jamaica International went to Miss Interlic Communications Natalia Cassado, while second runner-up and Miss Jamaica Caribbean went to Miss Body Accents Leanna Prendergast.
The ceremony began 30 minutes past the scheduled start time and the audience was told, 'due to technical difficulty backstage' with an on-screen presentation of the girls touring the island. However, a third of the audience, which included members of the press, and persons seated in a section of the VIP area were unable to see the video reel as the monitor was set up behind them.
After a forgettable dance number, the 20 Miss Jamaica World contestants came on-stage in groups of four, modelling fashion courtesy of Max Brown, Barry Moncrieffe, Karl Williams and Touch of Elegance.
The young ladies soon returned in swimwear, which unfortunately did not suit some of the body types. Nevertheless the packed ballroom cheered loudly and wildly for their girls. The obvious favourites were Danielle O'Hayon, Zipporah Kruse, Leanna Prendergast, Rashida Gopie, Theresa Lindo, Kerry-Ann Blackwood and Natalia Cassado.
Next came the evening wear segment, in which the audience was treated to trains of all colours and variations, as every gown had one. While none of the gowns were hideous, most of them failed to excite. However, if there were a prize for best gown it would have gone to Leanna Prendergast, who wore a brown and gold cut work marvel.
Then it came time to announce the top 10. They were Danielle O'Hayon, Charmaine Fenton, Christine Mighty, Theresa Lindo, Janine Mahadeo, Leanna Prendergast, Rosemarie Chin, Rashida Gopie, Melissa Roche and Natalia Cassado.
As the names of the finalists were announced they came on stage and introduced themselves to the crowd saying what issues they intended to tackle if they were to be crowned Miss Jamaica World. Despite a malfunctioning microphone most of the girls handled themselves well, with the standout response coming from 24-year-old Melissa Roche. She spoke with the poise and charm of someone who is used to standing in front of a crowd.
However, as is always the case at these events, there are segments of the audience whose sole purpose in attending is to heckle and jeer the girls. Rosemarie Chin and Rashida Gopie unfortunately fell prey to these folks.
For Chin, it began after she was thrown off by a camera flash and thus forgot what it was that she was trying to say -the laughter soon erupted from a section of the room, while the rest of the room tried to quiet them down. She walked back to her place with tears in her eyes.
Next it was Rashida Gopie's turn to bear the brunt of the slurs of the unkind. Shortly after she said her name, a female voice at the rear was heard screaming "no". The "no's" from that person continued through a good part of Ms. Gopie's presentation, causing her to stumble.
After brief deliberations the top five were chosen. They were Danielle O'Hayon, Miss Jamaica Lottery Bingo; Miss Interlinc Communications Natalia Cassado; Miss Web Communications, Theresa Lindo; Miss Body Accents, Leanna Prendergast; and Miss Sagittarius Sound Melissa Roche.
The young ladies had to answer questions from members of the judging panel and for the most part they all gave good account of themselves. The best responses came from Danielle O'Hayon and Natalia Cassado.
Miss O'Hayon was asked if she believed that violent movies negatively affected the youth? She replied, "I strongly believe that the things we see on the television especially in movies influence us because what we see is what we learn."
Meanwhile in response to the question what attribute other than reggae music and Bob Marley should Jamaicans feel proud of? Ms. Cassado replied, "what I personally feel proud of is that Jamaica has always been at the forefront of the struggle for black consciousness." This response went down very favourably with the audience.
Before the Miss Jamaica World 2002 was announced the audience was treated to a selection from the young lady adjudged Most Talented, Miss China Delite, Kerry-Ann Blackwood. She did a rendition of Christina Aguilera's I Turn To You. Her performance was marred by the fact that she had to sing over Aguilera's pre-recorded track, so at times one was not too certain as to who was actually singing.
Other performances came from Susan Couch, who treated the crowd to a few selections from her album which included the popular Water Wash Over Me as well as some songs by artistes she liked.
There was also a lengthy Latin routine by Keith Cousins, Camille Richards and friends. Cousins and Richards danced very well as did three out of the four friends. The unfortunate "friend" mistook the number for Latin walking not dancing.
Before the winners were announced Laura Butler Pageant Director, read her report during which she told the girls how lovely they all were and she thanked the sponsors and media for their support. While she made her speech the 20 contestants filed on stage and surprised Ms. Butler with a presentation of their own.
Charmaine Fenton serenaded a shocked Butler with Mariah Carey's Hero, and then presented her with a plaque which had a photograph of the young ladies. Meanwhile pageant co-ordinator Melisea Warner and pageant chaperone Stacy Belnavis were presented with gift bags.
Sectional Prizes went to Natalia Cassado for Best Legs, Danielle O'Hayon for best smile, Zipporah Cruse for most congenial, Leanna Prendergast for best skin tone and Melissa Roche for Best Figure and Most Aware.
Meanwhile Leanna Prendergast also won the Miss Soft and Beautiful of US$1000 as well as an all expense paid trip to the Miss Soft and Beautiful International competition where she will represent Jamaica. Natalia Cassado also took home the Miss Jamaica World Model which will see her taking up a contract with Model Scouts Incorporated based in Orlando, Florida.
Miss Jamaica World 2002, Danielle O'Hayon will receive a fully loaded 2002 Peugeot 206 motor car courtesy of Island Motors, $100,000 cash, a first class ticket to London for the Miss World Pageant from Air Jamaica and a wardrobe valued at $100,000 from Uzuri International. She will also win a computer from ACS systems, executive accommodation at the Hilton Kingston, as well as a deluxe stay at the Hilton Five-Diamond resort in St. Lucia and a comprehensive training programme courtesy of Invision Consultants.
Miss O'Hayon will represent Jamaica at the Miss World finals in Nigeria on November 30.
The other finalists were Simone Spence, Zipporah Cruse, Suyen Fombrum, Sherlotte Samuels, Michelle Downer, Chamalie Bahadur, Julia Braham, Sacha Davis, Latoya Aquart and Kerry-Ann Blackwood.
The competition was adjudicated by Tommy James, chief judge; Sandrea Falconer; Cliff Hughes; Lisa Hanna-Panton; Selena Delgado; Laurel Williams-DeMercado; Heather Sykes-Facey; Allison Barnett-Cross; Christopher Williams; George Gunning; Gordon Arnold and Mary Villanueva.
