By Shelly-Ann Thompson, Staff Reporter
MASTER OF Ceremonies Dervan Malcolm asks: "Last year it was Clarendon, so who will it be this year?" The response from the audience at Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre on Hope Road in St. Andrew during this year's National Festival Queen finals, was a mammoth of answers. But it was the Jameses time to rule. One placard read, 'Go Toni-Shae' and so she did. By the end of the night, Toni-Shae James of St. James impressed the judges and later graced the runway as Miss Jamaica Festival Queen for 2003.
The slender 23-year-old from Porto Bello Heights in the parish had outwitted 12 other parish queens to become a cultural ambassador for her country. Since July 19, James is going the same route that Claudette Jones, Troy-Ann Davis and Dahlia Harris have travelled as former National Festival Queens. It is a path which James anticipates and hopes to fill with assiduity, humility and pride.
Her engagements include making appearances at major events such as this year's Independence celebrations and at others, promoting the cultural awareness of Jamaica, both locally and internationally.
Recently, while staying at Christar Villas Hotel on Hope Road, St. Andrew, James spoke with Flair and enlightened us about who exactly is Toni-Shae James.
Toni-Shae James describes herself as a fun-loving extrovert who is also level-headed. I don't like when people are idle or lazy. I believe that people should take charge of their life. I appreciate talent, so don't waste whatever talent you have. I also like challenges so if I deem it a challenge then I think it's something to go after. I'm also always active, I like when I have something to do.
I was schooled at Hemming Gay Preparatory, Catherine Hall Primary and Montego Bay High where I gained 10 CXCs, Montego Bay Community College. I am now at the University of the West Indies pursuing a Master's degree in Sociology, specialising option in Demography. I also did a double major in Sociology and Demography, receiving my Bachelor's degree with honours. I would like to work for a year or two then continue my studies pursuing a Ph.D. in Population, Development Studies in the United States.
I decided to enter the competition after being encouraged for two or three years by one of my good friends, Jenese Dawson (Miss Westmoreland 2000 and second runner-up in the national finals that year). Last year while at the competition, I said to my friend, 'Next year I'm going to be on that stage'. So that same night, I started dreaming up ideas for projects that I would take part in and what my talent piece would be.
Yes, I am the first to win for St. James, something I really wanted to achieve. I feel strongly about it because many people think that the girls from St. James cannot fit the calibre of a queen. I am very proud to boast the name of my parish, some people have asked me if I had changed my name but I have not.
The fun about St. James exists within Montego Bay, the entertainment capital which actually has the hip strip. Any form of entertainment you can find, it is in St. James. It also caters for the locals and is not as volatile as Kingston, its very harmonious.
The women of St. James are fairly liberal. They make up a large part of the labour force. Many are single parents and are not shy about it because they fulfil those roles successfully. They are also very outspoken.
My expectation of who would have won... Honestly, all the girls are brilliant. But to be very frank, I knew it was between three of us -- myself, Miss Kingston and St. Andrew and Miss Portland. After the question and answer segment I knew I was the winner. I was surprised about Miss Portland, but I guess the judges knew what they were looking for.
Nobody has said this to me, but for people who thought the crown should've gone to someone else, I just want to say that what you saw on stage was not the only criteria the judges used. The placing of each contestant was also dependent on the pre-judging aspect of the competition and I think I did give a good account of myself during the pre-judging period. I was also adjudged the Most Culturally Aware, which is normally chosen during this session.
I really liked the opportunity that I got to meet the 12 other girls. I have made long-term friendships, especially with Miss St. Ann, Jerrine Pollack; Miss St. Catherine, Celestine Thomas and Miss Manchester, Janet Ricketts. We shared a flat for 11 days. Just an amazing competition, really had that
bond. Want to say that I love them all. It has also assisted me to be more grounded and groomed like a proper young woman should be.
The project I want to work with pertains to HIV/AIDS in my parish, particularly adolescents. I want to join forces with the Ministry of Health to reach out to young people for them to understand that sex is not everything.
I am very active especially on campus at UWI. I work with the culture and entertainment affairs committee. Anything entertainment, I was a part of it. I was also an assistant to the guild. I was also Deputy Hall Chairperson for Mary Seacole. I am very passionate about Mary Seacole - big up to the Seacolites. I tutored for four courses in the department of Sociology and Psychology. I also worked with Professor Chukwudum Uche as his research assistant on a UNFPA project - a baseline survey on sexual and reproductive health for 2003-2006 in Caribbean countries including Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname.
I would like to see greater awareness and civic pride in our people so that we can realise how wonderful our country is, how very, very rich we are in culture that we are truly blessed. We may have problems but most of them can be overturned.
My inspirations are my family and friends. I cannot express how strong their network support is and how assiduously they work for me. My family has weathered some difficulties, and my parents have made a lot of sacrifices for me. They saw that there was something in me so they did their best for me. It's like they always say, 'a family that prays together, stays together'.
Whenever I don't have any pressing projects or issues on campus I go home - like once or twice a month. But I use the telephone a lot to communicate with my family. Thank God for that invention.
Thanks to my mother, Dionne Reid-Richards, musical director and band member at Calvary Baptist Church, who helped my memory and my father, Zephaniah James for the musical genes. Of eight children, I am the baby and by my mother's side, I have two younger brothers on my father's side.
I am also grateful to my family at the Calvary Baptist Church in Montego Bay. They are very supportive. The church gave me formal training in public speaking and other areas. Thanks also to my sponsor Donna Donalson, of Luvs, hugs and kisses.
