Marcia Rowe, Gleaner Writer
Fifteen of the 16 Miss Jamaica World 2008 contestants, at the private judging session held at Spartan Health Club, Lady Musgrave Road, last week. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
It is official, on August 16, 16 contestants will vie for the opportunity to represent Jamaica at the Miss World Beauty Pageant, in Ukraine.
The announcement was made on Sunday, July 27, to the crowd that gathered for family brunch at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel poolside in St Andrew. The occasion was Spartan Health Club's Miss Jamaica World presentation and sashing of finalists.
Selection of sponsors for each contestant was done through a lottery draw aided by Donald 'Rampuss' Hayden and his ball machine. Sashing was performed by representatives from each company. On completion of the sashing, each contestant was presented with gifts from Optimum Care and Maybeline.
With the theme being 'In Search of Gold', the venue for the Miss Jamaica World final will be held at the Hilton Kingston hotel in St Andrew. The contestants will not only compete for the title of Miss Jamaica World, but also in the categories of fashion, congeniality and talent.
Showcase
The young women made their first of two individual appearances in casual wear designed by Uzuri and Neahlis. The predominant colour for their outfits was blue. The second individual appearance was in swimwear (gold, red, orange, pink and green) designed by Mushroom. Their third appearance was as a group. On each occasion they strut around the pool, which provided a lovely backdrop for the event.
Emcees Denise Hunt and Weston Haughton not only provided information on the finalists, but kept the audience entertained through giveaways. The prizes, ranging from gift baskets to Sunday Brunch, were earned by answering questions mainly about the show, explanation on how to prepare a local meal (females) and a challenge to the males to compete in doing a specific number of push-ups.
On August 9, the 16 Miss Jamaica World finalists will make an appearance at the Sovereign Centre in Liguanea, St Andrew.
The chosen finalists: Arcadia Brown (23), Miss Perfectil Skin, Hair and Nail; Sydonie McBayne (24), Miss Tropical Metal Products Ltd; Raecine Williams (18), Miss Geddes Refrigeration; Jodion Henry (23), Miss Empire Supermarket; Monique Daley (17), Miss Ting; Staci-Lee Peart (18), Miss Optimum Care; Danielle Bazzoni (18), Miss Permanent Cosmetic Studio; Danielle Brown (19), Miss O'Riley's Rum Cream; Brittany Lyons (19), Miss Logo Stitch; Chaka Lagurre (21), Miss OCS Electrical and Lighting; Yanique Levy (24), Miss Optical Solutions; Nikita Byfield (21), Miss Mitsibishi Jamaica; Sian Watts (24), Miss Jergens Ltd.; Jade Grant (22), Miss Guardian Fence Systems Ltd.; Marshagay Reynolds (24), Miss Quality Dealers; and Shaneka Simpson (22), Miss Acropolis Gaming and Entertainment.
