Jody Shaw, Miss Optical Solutions. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Today, The Gleaner begins a one-on-one chat with finalists in this year's Miss Jamaica (World) pageant. Over the next two weeks, you will get a closer look at the ladies' mind and body.

Name: Jody Shaw

Age: 22

Height: 5'10"

Vital statistics: 32-28-37

Occupation: Co-Director Production Company

Sponsor: Miss Optical Solutions

The Gleaner: Why did you decide to enter the competition?

Jody Shaw: I see the Miss Jamaica World platform as an opportunity, a window to promote Jamaica to the wider world. As a proud Jamaican, I would like to garner that opportunity and make the best of it. That's why I entered.

G: What is your definition of a beauty queen?

JS: A beauty queen should be someone that's not only beautiful on the outside, but well rounded and beautiful more so on the inside. Someone that when you hear about the person and about the works they have done you can say that the person is beautiful, notjust what God gave and what is socially acceptable as beauty, but beautiful in their actions, the way they relate to people. That, I believe, is a beauty queen.

G: What do you expect to achieve by entering the competition?

JS: I hope to continue what I have already begun to achieve, which is my self-esteem has been boosted, I have learnt so much about Jamaica; it's unbelievable, the camaraderie between the girls - I hope that continues as well. I hope to be able to see places that I've never seen in my own country and meet dignitaries that are important to Jamaica and will become our heritage a few years from now.

G: What is your best asset?

JS: My best asset would definitely be my personality. My ability to make others smile, my ability just to put a spark in someone's day. Not that I am always able to do that; however, if I am having a low day, the persons that I am usually around are usually able to make me feel better.

G: How would you sell Jamaica to a foreigner in light of the high crime rate?

JS: I would say that Jamaica is so much more than the crime rate. It is so much more than the violence. Jamaica is such a beautiful country, the aesthetic appeal of the country firstly is what I would definitely sell. Everybody wants to come to Jamaica because it's beautiful, because we have beautiful people. We have so much more; we have a rich cultural heritage and only in Jamaica can you see such a rich melting pot of so many cultural backgrounds, it's just unbelievable. That would be Jamaica for me.

G: What do you love the most about Jamaica?

JS: The people. Definitely the people. As I said, the people are the most warm-hearted that you will ever come across anywhere in this world. They will be the first persons to invite you into their home, offer you - in Jamaican slang - 'a cold glass a ice water', just welcome you. I mean, if I am stuck anywhere in the world I would hope to find a Jamaican because of how warm they are, especially to their own people.

G: If you could meet one person, who would it be, and why?

JS: I would love to meet Ralph Nader. I find him to be a very influential person. He has caused a shift in the thoughts of Americans and persons around the world. He formed the health organisation and he encouraged persons to engage in fair business practices and I just find his work just admirable.

G: If you win, what sector of the society would you work with?

JS: Well, I would like to work with major organisations fighting AIDS, helping to reduce crime. I think I would like to focus on the smaller sectors. I would like to focus on a problem that I am very passionate about, which is the brain drain that our country is experiencing today. I believe that if we should reach out to our high school and university students to let them know that once you have garnered this education, don't leave, invest in your country, then we will have more educated persons at the top of our society to assist with all other problems, and I believe we would have a domino effect from that.

G: If you were the Prime Minister, what changes would you make and how?

JS: I would definitely try to influence our youth. I would work with organisations such as the Lions Club, Rotary Clubs, to instil certain values of benevolence to our Jamaicans, because if we are able to consider others and to just take into consideration another person's point of view we may be just able to change quite a number of things.

G: What do you hope to achieve in five years?

JS: I hope to see myself as a more successful, independent, Jamaican ambassador. I hope to continue my own business. I hope to be representing my country both locally and internationally, looking to create more investments for my country, invest in my country and possibly married, even with a family.