By Alicia Roache, Staff Reporter

A Queen and two Princesses: Miss Jamaica World 2004, Tonoya Toyloy, is flanked by second place and 'First Princess', Carolyn Yapp and third place and 'Second Princess', Candace Thorbourne. - WINSTON SILL/Freelance Photographer

THE GLITZ, glamour and glorious pageantry of the Miss Jamaica World competition ended on Sunday night with the crowning of a new queen.

Twenty-four-year-old Pharmacy Intern, Tonoya Toyloy, walked away with the coveted crown and over a million dollars in cash and prizes.

Toyloy, who was also the winner of the Miss Jamaica World Public Vote, was an early favourite at the coronation. Along with Debbie-Ann McKreith, she seemed to have the majority of the crowd's support as whenever their names were announced, the ballroom of the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel erupted with shouts of approval.

McKreith, however, failed to place in the final three. Second place and Miss Jamaica World 1st Princess went to Carolyn Yapp, while third place and Miss Jamaica World 2nd Princess went to another crowd favourite, Candace Thorbourne. Thorbourne was also adjudged the most talented contestant. Jordanne Halsall and McKreith completed the top five.

VIDEO PRESENTATION

The lengthy coronation show was interpersed with video presentations of the twenty contestants during the mini competitions; dramatic dance presentations by dance troupes Xymaca and The National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC) and performances by male group VoiseMail and veteran crooner AJ Brown.

The presentation of the contestants began with the twenty beauties dancing to Elephant Man's 'Bad Mind', during which they introduced themselves. This presentation was well received by the crowd, but it was easily topped by the swimsuit parade during which the contestants appeared for the first time in the history of the pageant, in bikinis.

GOWN DISPLAY

The swimwear parade was followed by the gown display. The contestants appeared in gowns from Trends, Sophia Max Brown, Haute Couture De Dawn, from their personal collections, or designed by Uzuri.

One of the most beautiful gowns of the contest was worn by McKreith, a brown and yellow layered floor length gown with intricate patterns.

After the top ten contestants were announced the nail biting began. The question segment of the competition saw the contestants tackling questions as diverse in level of difficulty and in scope as How did Hurricane Ivan affect you? and How should the authorities deal with people who continue to build in those areas considered flood-prone?

At the end of the question segment the playing field seemed to be still level. However, with the announcement of the winner of the Public Vote, the balance seemed to have shifted a bit. The public counted as the eleventh judge and Toyloy was chosen by the public. Toyloy was also the winner of the Beach Beauty mini-competition.