Ayanna Dixon, Miss Nair. - CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
The Gleaner continues to profile the contestants in the 2006 Miss Jamaica Universe pageant. The finals will be held on Sunday, March 26, at the Hilton Kingston hotel, starting at 7:30 p.m.
Name: Ayanna Dixon
Age: 19
Height: 5'5"
Vital statistics: 32-24-34
Occupation: Travel consultant, Total Travel.
Sponsor: Miss Nair.
DG: Why did you decide to enter the competition?
AD: I was always encouraged to enter the competition. Romae (Gordon) was asking me about it last year, but I was at school and they don't allow competitions like that, so I couldn't do it. So I decided that since I took the year off I will just do it since I have the time now.
DG: What is your definition of a beauty queen?
AD: I think beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but other than that I believe beauty has to come from within. The person has to take care of themselves, be confident about themselves, be comfortable with themselves and just show the world that they are a beautiful person.
DG: What do you expect to achieve by entering the competition?
AD: I want to win. But other than that I'm enjoying meeting and hanging out with the girls. They're very friendly. I'm making new friendships and the experience and the exposure in terms of my modelling also. I'm a petite model and I aspire to be an international model. They are training us to speak eloquently and stuff like that, so that's good also.
DG: What is your best asset?
AD: I think I have two, my personality and my smile. I love making people happy, so I amalways joking around and smiling. I enjoy performing for people. And my smile, people notice my smile from a mile away because I'm always smiling. Even if I'm sad I'll still smile.
DG: How would you sell Jamaica to a foreigner in light of the high crime rate?
AD: Our people are so warm and friendly. When I go to New York everybody is so cold. We still have that friendly, family vibe and even if you don't know the person we look out for each other. And our landscape is so beautiful, our beaches, our mountains. We just have to take care of our environment some more and promote that.
DG: What do you love the most about Jamaica?
AD: I love everything about Jamaica, but I think having my family and friends here. I enjoy spending time with my family and I enjoy spending time with my friends. Just having my family and friends here would be the best things about Jamaica, being home.
DG: If you could meet one person, who would it be and why?
AD: I would like to meet someone in the fashion industry, because I am also an aspiring fashion designer. I would say Tyra Banks, but I'd like someone who knows the modelling field and the fashion designing field to give me some pointers so that you know, despite my height, I can get somewhere internationally.
DG: If you win, what sector of the society would you work with?
AD: I'd definitely work with children, because they're definitely Jamaica's future. And I think especially inner-city children, they need to know that people are looking out for them and caring. It's not that their parents don't care, but some of them need someone to look up to and definitely like I'd love to deal with the environment also.
DG: If you were the Prime Minister, what changes would you make and how?
AD: My main focus would be our education facilities, I think, especially for inner-city people or people who are not as privileged as the middle or upper class. By educating them they can use their brain power and think of other things to do other than selling drugs or doing stuff of that nature.
DG: What do you hope to achieve in five years?
AD: I hope to have my bachelor of fine arts in fashion design. I also hope to be an international model. I just want to make sure that I'm happy, enjoying life and keep focused on my dreams.
