Terri- Karelle Griffith, Contrbutor

Terri-Karelle Griffiths

The experience of chaperoning the 2007 Miss Jamaica World finalists is exciting, interesting and educational. Having been a contestant in 2005, emerging with the title Miss Jamaica World, being with this year's finalists is like walking down memory lane, but there is a vast difference.

In 2005, I was emotionally caught up with the whole list of activities leading up to the finals and I saw the pageant from a contestant's point of view. This year, being involved with the organising aspects of the various activities, I am exposed to a 'new world' which I underestimated. I just never realised that so much preparatory, behind the scenes work went into coordinating and executing the various pageant activities.

It fills me with a sense of pride and pleasure to be witnessing and contributing to the transformation of the finalists, which makes them so ready, confident and professional for coronation night. The 'getting ready' activities certainly serve as building blocks for the creation of well-rounded personalities beyond the competition.

Having been involved in the study of veterinary medicine, I was largely focused on my profession. However, this involvement has broadened my horizons and has certainly exposed me to a whole host of public relations activities that will without doubt, redound to my benefit and the people with whom I will have to interact in the future.

Training package

In addition to the excellent training they have been receiving from Norma Brown-Bell in speech and Bev Corke in grooming, I believe my experience in having been at the Miss World Pageant has been very helpful for the girls. They never cease to find out from me how they should approach certain preparatory measures.

This year, as with many previous years, the finalists are in high spirits. They are exercising a tremendous level of cooperation and willingness to learn. They are all very bright and educated and it is my considered opinion that the judges will have a tough time in arriving at the final placings.

I wish all the ladies in the competition good luck and to the winner of the 2007 Miss Jamaica World Pageant, I have no doubt that you will represent Jamaica very well and I hope that you have a fun filled but productive reign. It was an honour working with these lovely ladies.