Ahead of tomorrow's finals of Miss Jamaica World 2006, The Gleaner presents two more of the contestants who are vying for the prestigious title and the opportunity to follow in Terri-Karelle Griffiths' footsteps.
Mishka Samuels
Name: Mishka Samuels
Age: 22
Occupation: Investment representative
Vital Statistics: 32-24-36
Height: 5' 6"
Weight: 120 lb
Sponsor: Optimum Care
G: How do you feel about Jamaica’s performance in pageants over the years?
MS: Jamaica has performed very well in beauty pageants over the years. I think we have produced three winners and several top 10 performers, so I think we have performed very well.
G: Do you think beauty pageants are still relevant and why?
MS: Beauty pageants are still very relevant because they help with the development of the self-esteem of young ladies. It also enables them to meet a lot of people, experience experiences that they wouldn't have experienced otherwise if they didn't enter and it is a very good experience.
G: What in your opinion is your best quality?
MS: My best quality would be my personality. I am very outgoing, very charismatic and I think I am a good leader and I just love experiencing different things.
G: How does this competition fit into your plans for the future?
MS: It fits into my plans for the future because the experience will give me a lot of contacts. I will get to meet different people, which will probably build business relationships in the future.
G: Which of the mini-competitions do you stand the best chance of winning?
MS: I think I stand the best chance of winning the talent competition, because I am an excellent dancer.
G: Name three must-haves
MS: I must have my own space so that I can spend time with God. I must be able to spend time with my family and friends and I must have water.
G: Why should you win the title of Miss Jamaica World 2006?
MS: I should win the title of Miss Jamaica World 2006 because Jamaica needs somebody who they can relate to, a girl next door, somebody who can be a role model. I think I possess those qualities, as I am someone who can be an ambassador for the country because I have a passion for it. Anybody who has a passion for something will give it their best and that is what I will do.
Gillian Taylor
Name: Gillian Taylor
Age: 21
Occupation: Model
Vital Statistics: 34-24-36
Height: 5' 10"
Weight: 127 lb
Sponsor: Muscle, Fitness and Health
G: How do you feel about Jamaica’s performance in pageants over the years?
GT: I think Jamaica has done exceptionally well. We've had two Miss Worlds and a couple other persons have been in the top 10, so I think we have done exceptionally well over the years.
G: Do you think beauty pageants are still relevant and why?
GT: Of course beauty pageants are still relevant. They give young girls a chance to develop themselves as they learn from all the training, get a chance to meet people and to enhance their personality overall.
G: What in your opinion is your best quality?
GT: That would have to be my personality. I think I am very warm and friendly and I think I get along with everybody and I am very understanding.
G: How does this competition fit into your plans for the future?
GT: This competition is just another stepping stone for me. I have always wanted to do it. It will open more doors for me professional wise and personal wise too. It will just open more doors for me to move on to other things I want to do in the future.
G: Which of the mini-competitions do you stand the best chance of winning?
GT: The beach beauty. I have been working out for a while and getting the body in shape so that I can win the beach beauty competition.
G: Name three must-haves.
GT: Family, because they are the most important thing to me. Friends, because I enjoy stimulating conversations and my friends offer that. And good food, because you have to stay alive.
G: Why should you win the title of Miss Jamaica World 2006?
GT: I should win the title of Miss Jamaica World 2006 because I have the ability to represent Jamaica both at home and abroad as to the warm and hospitable place it really is; to represent our people and also to make a difference in the lives of many Jamaicans.
Photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
