'Miss Kingston and St. Andrew 2002', Ine Jones, crowning the new queen, Kari Morrison at the competition's finals held at the Louise Bennett Garden Theatre, Hope Road, St. Andrew, on Sunday night. Looking on are first runner-up Georgia Crawford and second runner-up Marsha Watson. Morrison beat out 12 other contestants and took home over $40,000 in cash and prizes. She will represent the parish in the all-island finals. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer KARI MORRISON walked away with the crown, but it was the audience that was the big winner at the 'Miss Kingston and St. Andrew Festival Queen' parish finals on Sunday night.
The throng that turned up for the event was treated to very good talent pieces from the 13 contestants, who were vying for more than $80,000 in cash and prizes and a spot in the National Festival Queen competition.
The event, held at the Louise Bennett Garden Theatre at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre on Hope Road, St. Andrew, followed the trend of this season's other festival queen events by starting late this one by 40 minutes. However, once it got under way, it proved an engaging night of entertainment.
After performing in the opening song and dance number, entitled 'Real Jamaican Woman', the contestants returned to introduce themselves by the traditional method of saying their name and that of their sponsor. Some also attempted to say their personal mottoes.
STANDOUT CONTESTANTS
The standout contestants in this segment were 'Miss Dark and Lovely', Kari Morrison, and 'Miss Music Mart', Georgia Crawford. Both seemed self-assured and very comfortable in front of an audience. Also leaving memorable impressions were Marsha Watson and Jody McQueen. Watson, who wore the sash 'Miss KSA Engineering', said that her sponsors were the Kingston and St. Andrew Engineering Company. However, no such company exists and her sponsors were actually the Kenrick Steve Ashley Engineering Company.
Meanwhile, McQueen told the audience "I am sponsored by my employer Cable and Wireless, where we put our customers first." She was met with loud responses of 'a lie dat' followed by laughter.
Talent pieces followed shortly after, and a series of excellent performances followed and began with the first contestant, Marsha Watson. With a voice very reminiscent of Pam Hall's, she performed Beres Hammond's One Step Ahead commendably.
However, the cream of the crop came in the final set of performances. Georgia Crawford, dressed in black Muslim garb, performed a piece she wrote about the pain of an Iraqi mother. The audience hung on to her every word, and throughout the piece 'is true' was often heard coming from individual members. She received a standing ovation at the end.
DRAMATIC PERFORMANCE
Scherrie Ducille, 'Miss Matrix Engineerin', followed Crawford. Her piece, another dramatic performance, told the story of a young Rastafarian man who speaks out against the hypocrisy of the upper and middle classes. She, too, received a standing ovation.
The final performance piece was a dance number to Buju Banton's 23 Psalm done by 'Miss Ballistic Security', Shelly-Ann Callum. As a part of the performance, she joined three separated flats to make the Jamaican flag. Of course, she also received a standing ovation.
The judges found it difficult to adjudicate the best talent piece and took a little longer than was expected. When they were finished, there was a tie and Ducille and Crawford both took home the 'Most Talented' award of a trophy from H.D. Hopwood and $8000.
Other sectional prizes went to Kari Morrison, 'Most Culturally Aware'; and Jody McQueen, 'Most Congenial'. Also taking home scholarships were McQueen, Marsha Watson, Crawford and Natalee Titus.
TOP SEVEN
Following the awarding of sectional prizes was the announcement of the top seven. They were Nakeisha Downer, Marsha Watson, 'Miss March's Drug Store' Glennesher Dwyer, 'Miss Henkel Caribbean' Sonja Simms, Morrison, Ducille and Crawford.
After a brief interview section in which most of the finalists gave a good account of themselves, the judges deliberated briefly and then the top three were named.
The second runner-up award went to Marsha Watson and she received $8000, a cellular telephone and a gift basket from Shirlhome Chemicals. The first runner-up award went to Crawford, who received $15,000, a cellular telephone, a gift certificate from Decor Arts and Mirrors and a gift package from Shirlhome Chemicals.
Morrison, the eventual winner, took home a cash prize of $25,000; the Mayor's Trophy; a love seat; a cellular phone and a gift package from Shirlhome Chemicals.
