Camesha Powell, Miss Empire Supermarket. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Name: Camesha Powell

Age: 23

Height: 5'7"

Vital statistics: 34-22-35 1/2

Occupation: Marketing executive and fashion designer.

Sponsor: Empire Supermarket

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

Camesha Powell: It is actually a combination of reasons that have accumulated through my life. When I was younger I used to watch the different pageants and I always wanted to enter, but as I got older and was exposed to more meaningful reasons for entering, such as becoming an ambassador of goodwill for your country and becoming a role model for younger girls, I decided to enter.

What is your definition of a beauty queen?

I believe a beauty queen is someone who is not only physically beautiful, but is more about if the inner person shines through. The person should be humble, compassionate, selfless and should be able to put others before self.

What do you expect to achieve by entering the competition?

I hope to walk away from the competition a better person, a well-rounded person and I should walk away feeling like a winner, whether or not I win the competition.

What is your best asset?

First of all, I am extremely thankful for the physical attributes that I have been blessed with, but I think it's my personality that is my best asset. I am a very warm person and I love to make people laugh. I am a very selfless person and my character is very true.

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

First of all, I thin Jamaica has a high crime rate there are other beautiful things that we offer, such as the food, culture, people, the beaches. There are so many positive things in Jamaica that have made us have such a great impact on the world we are so small.

What do you love the most about Jamaica?

It would have to be our people and their ability to always overcome boundaries and make an impact wherever they go. For example, look at our Bob Marley and Barrington Irving Jr., who was the first black man and the youngest to fly around the world solo.

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

It would have to be Michael Lee Chin, because I am a business major and also an entrepreneur. I admire how he uses his platform to give back to the country, as well as his work ethic. I would love to sit down and get advice from him.

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

I am honestly willing to commit to as many charity organisations as is possible. Whether it be for AIDS, the Cancer Society, the elderly, but my core focus would be our children. I would want to work with the KIDS programme, which is an early childhood facility.

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

There are so many issues I would want to address. First of all, there is the lack of sufficient investment in the education system, the need for economic development and job creation. I would want to focus on those areas and put policies into place.

What do you hope to achieve in five years?

I am presently working on opening a designer showroom since I'm a designer, but what I want to do is market local and regional designs. Also, in five years I would want to see sustainable growth and diversify my portfolio with magazines and event planning and, of course, I would love to have a family.