It's that time of year again when we present the beauties. The Gleaner, in the upcoming weeks will run profiles of all the contestants in the 2006 Miss Jamaica (World) pageant. 15 girls are vying for the prestigious title and the opportunity to represent Jamaica at the Miss World pageant in Warsaw, Poland. Today we present …
Zahra McGraham
Name: Zahra McGraham
Age: 18
Sponsor: Empire Supermarket
Occupation: Student
Vital Statistics: 33-25-37
Height: 5' 6"
Weight: 122 lbs
How do you feel about Jamaica's performance in
pageants over the years?
"I think Jamaica has done very well we have persons such as Lisa Hanna who took the crown in the Miss World pageant in 1993, we have Cindy Breakspeare who also took the crown and we have Terri-Karelle Griffith who is our current Miss Jamaica, she placed in the top 15.
We also have Christine Straw who came sixth in the Miss World pageant, so we have done very well."
Do you think beauty pageants are still relevant and why?
"I do think they are very relevant because they boost self-confidence, they help us in public speaking and they allow us to grow as individuals."
What in your opinion is your best quality?
"I think my best quality is my open mindedness, because it allows
people around me to be more
comfortable and it makes me more accepting of different individuals."
How does this competition fit into your plans for the future?
"This competition gives me a chance to win the crown of Miss Jamaica World 2006 and with this crown I will represent Jamaica and be able to organise different charitable events to help Jamaica."
Which of the mini-competitions do you stand the best chance of winning?
"I would have to say beach beauty because I think I have a unique build and body."
Name three must-haves
"A good educational background because an education is very important, a supportive family because family is all and loyal friends because it is good to have true friends."
Why should you win the title of Miss Jamaica World 2006?
"I should win the title because I will represent my country well and I will take this opportunity to make Jamaica known for the beautiful country it is."
Christelle Harris
Name: Christelle Harris
Age: 23
Sponsor: Diet Ting
Occupation: Hotel Management
Vital Statistics: 33-26-37
Height: 5' 6"
Weight: 126 lbs.
How do you feel about Jamaica's performance in pageants over the years?
"Jamaica's performance in pageants over the years has been extremely good considering the size of our country and our population in comparison to the population of others. The selection of girls is always good and we always manage to send a representative of very high quality to represent Jamaica and as a result I think we always do extremely well."
Do you think beauty pageants are still relevant and why?
"Absolutely, because they represent what a lady is. The winner of a beauty pageant usually has qualities that are exemplary of a queen and I think those qualities are not existent in our society enough anymore and people should look up to them."
What in your opinion is your best quality?
"I think my best quality is my listening ear. I take the time out to listen to people often because I think the hustle and bustle of our daily life with either school or work make us caught up in ourselves that we forget to take the time out to listen to others, so that is what I take the time out to do."
How does this competition fit into your plans for the future?
"Well this competition so far is helping me to refine certain qualities in myself that needed some work and I hope to work in the diplomatic field some time in the future and everything I am doing so far is helping me to refine the skills I will need for that course of work."
Which of the mini-competitions do you stand the best chance of winning?
"I think that I stand a good chance in sport because I was a very avid tennis player in my junior years and talent because I believe my performance was well received."
Name three must-haves
"A strong spiritual life because you must have something to believe in to keep you going, a good support system and for me that is my family and an understanding of your qualities because not enough people take that into consideration
anymore."
Why should you win the title of Miss Jamaica World 2006?
"I believe I should win the title of Miss Jamaica World 2006 because I know I will be an excellent ambassador for the country and I always do my best to display my national pride in an exemplary fashion."
Elaine Bailey
Name: Elaine Bailey
Age: 19
Sponsor: Vonessa's
Occupation: Student
Vital Statistics: 36-26-41
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 150 lbs.
How do you feel about Jamaica’s performance in pageants over the years?
"I feel good about Jamaica's performance, for example, we have Cindy Breakspeare and Lisa Hanna who have won the Miss World title and Terri who came in the top 15 so I am proud of Jamaica's performance over the years."
Do you think beauty pageants are still relevant and why?
"I do think they are still relevant because it is not only about beauty but also intelligence."
What in your opinion is your best quality?
"My personality, I am outgoing and down to earth, straight forward and I am willing to try and learn anything and I am very open-minded.
How does this competition fit into your plans for the future?
"For one it is a great experience that builds your confidence. In the future I want to become a psychologist so it helps me because I can go to high school and speak to children about issues and problems they are having."
Which of the mini-competitions do you stand the best chance of winning?
"Miss sport, because I am an athlete and I try my best at whatever I do and I love competition."
Name three must-haves
"My cellphone because I love to talk on the phone. My mom because I don't know what I would do without her and my sisters because they are my everything."
Why should you win the title of Miss Jamaica World 2006?
"Because I am energetic, I am outgoing, I think I am a good role model, I see myself as the next ambassador for Jamaica."
Hertha Beckmann
Name: Hertha Beckmann
Age: 20
Occupation: Student
Vital Statistics: 34-26-36
Height: 5' 7"
Weight: 123 lbs.
How do you feel about Jamaica’s performance in pageants over the years?
"For a very small country I think we have been doing very well when compared to first world countries, for example, our Miss World in 1993 Lisa Hanna and our world famous Cindy Breakspeare."
Do you think beauty pageants are still relevant and why?
"Yes I do think they are still important. They are especially important in the development of the young girls who enter."
What in your opinion is your best quality?
"My best quality is my ability to get along with anyone because of my warm personality."
How does this competition fit into your plans for the future?
"It doesn't however, the opportunity to be Miss Jamaica World 2006 would be a wonderful experience."
Which of the mini-competitions do you stand the best chance of winning?
"Beach beauty because I believe that my body is in perfect condition, it is well-toned and my figure is perfect."
Name three must-haves
"God, family for support and love for self."
Why should you win the title of Miss Jamaica World 2006?
"I should win the title of Miss Jamaica World 2006 because I believe I have what it takes to be a true ambassador for Jamaica."
- photos by Winston Sill / Freelance Photographer
