Kandré McDonald, Freelance Writer
Shamika Hemmings (centre), Miss Teen Jamaica 2007, is flanked by first runner-up Sashel Cooper (right) and second runner-up Nicolette Hind at the Courtleigh Auditorium, New Kingston, on Sunday. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
IT WAS a night of spectacle and disarray at the 26th staging of the Miss Teen Jamaica Grand Coronation Show at the Courtleigh Auditorium, New Kingston, on Sunday night.
In a rather long ceremony that started almost an hour late and was constantly interrupted by glitches, 14-year-old Shamika Hemmings won from a field of 15 contestants. Shamika, who wore the sash Miss Portmore Gas, stood out and was always the crowd favourite. She also walked away with trophies for being Most Aware, Most Talented and for being the contestant possessing the Best Christian Principles.
First runner-up, Sashel Cooper, Miss New Boulevard Motors, was also judged the Most Intelligent. Second runner-up, Nicolette Hind, Miss Lee Hardware, also won a trophy for being the Most Promising Contestant. Fourth and fifth places went to GeorginaJohnson-Jones and Adrianna Rankine, respectively.
Kavene Galoub was Most Congenial, Most Disciplined and, at 13 years old, the youngest contestant; Nneka Gaynor had the Best Personality; Calmentina Philpotts was the Most Cultural contestant; Adrianna Rankine, the Most Photogenic and Most Eloquent; and Rashel-lee Smith, the Best Groomed of the lot.
Splendour and creativity
Despite the many glitches, the night was one filled with splendour and creativity. In their initial outing, the young portrayed and paid tribute to outstanding Jamaican women. It soothed the patrons, after the late start. A favourite was Nicolette Hind, who portrayed the Honourable Portia Simpson Miller.
It was the talent section, however, that really grabbed the patrons' attention. The pieces done by Shamika Hemmings, Georgina-Johnson Jones, Calmentina Philpotts and Nneka Gaynor were exceptionally well executed, with Shamika, who deejayed a cultural-based Christian song that she wrote, judged the best. Her attire was also interesting, as she came out dressed in a full camouflage suit and herface painted to replicate that of a well-groomed man.
The evening gowns were well put together.
Entertainment was provided not only by the 15 young ladies, but also the Karate Warriors, who gave an exhibition. Guest artiste MBC (Make Boys Cry) also gave a creditable performance, despite several glitches with the microphones.
The Untouchable Squad brought the house down with their choreographed dance moves and singer Angel exercised her angelic voice as she sent the patrons in a trance.
The winner was given a gold-plated Anne Klein watch, the runner-up a silver-plated Tommy Hilfiger timepiece and the third-place finisher a ladies watch. All the ladies were given trophies for participating, with the top five getting additional trophies and other goodies, including weekends on Jamaica's north coast and trips overseas.
