Kavelle Anglin-Christie, Staff Reporter
Miss Jamaica Universe 2005 Raquel Wright (right) speaks with some of the contestants in this year's edition of the contest. - WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
IT WAS a bittersweet moment for those attending the launch of the Miss Jamaica Universe 2006 competition, held at Pulse, Trafalgar Road, New Kingston, on Wednesday night.
It was a new beginning for the contestants, but it represented the end of a reign filled with purpose for Raquel Wright, Miss Jamaica Universe 2005.
As Wright stood on the small stage, she looked stunning in a blood-red, body-hugging dress.
"Tonight I want to wish all the contestants the best. They seem like nice girls and very excited. I met one earlier this evening... During my reign I was involved in an HIV/AIDS campaign and I hope that the next person will continue what I started," she said.
Her speech was brief, yet she got a shower of cheers and applause from the audience: "That was so good girl!"
Kingsley Cooper, CEO of Pulse, praised Wright after her speech, saying "she is one of the brightest we have had."
COOPER PLEASED
Cooper went on to call out the 18 of 22 contestants present. The girls, aged 18 to 26, came out looking stunning in black and were introduced to the audience.
Cooper told The Gleaner that he is pleased with the quality of this year's contestants. When asked about the large number of advertisements aired encouraging girls to enter, he said "we run promotions every year for contestants to enter, otherwise people wouldn't know it was on. However, we did do a bit more this year".
Some of the contestants occupied their time posing for photographs. while others gathered round Wright, eagerly asking questions. And she was just as eager and animated with her responses.
