Festival Queen coronation tonight

Jamaica will have a new Festival Queen after 13 beautiful women show the country what they have to offer tonight.

The Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre will play venue to the activities, which begin at 8 p.m., but have you met the lovely women in the competition?

Miss St Elizabeth

Monique Deandra Foster is 19 years old and attends the University of the West Indies. Her ambition is to become one of Jamaica's most outstanding lawyers. Her philosophy is "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".

She is very interested in the Literary Arts and spends quality time writing, acting and directing. She considers her personality irresistible, indomitable and adorable.

Monique is the President of Kunti Kinte Cultural and Theatre Group.

Monique strongly believes that she will be one of Jamaica's most outstanding lawyers and actresses.

Miss Clarendon

Shellean Pinnock is an ambitious 25-year-old who is the holder of a masters degree in education. A teacher, Shellean says her community involvement enables her to interact with youths with a desire to excel.

At Cross Primary and Junior High School, where she teaches, Shellean is also leader of the Cub Scout, leader of the Dance Club, a cheerleader, treasurer of the Function and Entertainment Committee and Special Advisor to the Culture Group.

Shellean is currently pioneering a project which uses the performing arts to motivate and generate interest in mathematics and social studies.

"Success comes in cans and not can'ts hence, with confidence, I can shoot for the moon, just in case I miss it, I will land among the stars" is the philosophy she is guided by.

Miss Manchester

Twenty-two-year-old Johnnel Smith attended Manchester High School, Bishop Gibson High School and more recently the University of the West Indies.

A lecturer and entrepreneur, she is the co-producer on BESS FM, a director of the Manchester Institute's computer literacy programme, and a member of Rotaract Club of Mandeville. Her community involvement includes serving as a mentor to teenagers living in the community of Mandeville.

While at the University of the West Indies, she made significant contribution to hospitality and tourism and is a two-time recipient of the National Commercial Bank/Jamaica Education Initiative scholarship.

She is also the proprietor of Caribbean College and Career Development Institute.

In five years she hopes to be a very successful businesswoman with a masters degree.

Miss St Mary

Miss St Mary, 21-year-old Monique Clarke is a past student of St Mary High School and graduate of the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE), where she reigned as Miss CASE 2008.

In her community, Monique has been mentoring teenage mothers and serves as a guide for a Brownie Group. Additionally, she is also a chartered member of Optimist International and a member of the Islington Gospel Chapel Youth Fellowship.

Her philosophy is "The test of any man's character is how he accepts praise."

Monique may be described as kind-hearted, jovial, determined and god-fearing. She admires storyteller and comedian, Joan Andrea Hutchinson.

A talented young woman, she hopes to acquire a masters degree in Education in the next five years.

Miss St Catherine

Keneisha Allen is a 22-year-old graduate of the Mico University College and is currently employed as a credit manager.

Keneisha's philosophy is "I believe I can achieve anything through hard work, faith and dedication" and her special interests include history, politics and law.

She currently serves as a member of the Mona Lions Club, assisting students with special needs. She admires Barbara Everlyn Bailey, who is an advocate on gender issues.

Miss St James

Tashane Grizzle is a 23-year-old accounts receivable analyst and a past student of the Undergraduate School located at the Montego Bay High School.

She wants to travel to places of interest and work with teenagers, and describes herself as a success-driven individual.

Her community involvement includes the "Literacy for Life" programme, designed to help individuals develop an appetite for reading and a desire for learning. She also provides comfort for abandoned children, through frequent visits to places of safety.

A sports enthusiast, Tashane has served as secretary for the Retrieve Youth-in-Action Sports Development Club and currently is secretary of the Cambridge Marching Band.

Tashane sees herself completing a degree with first class honours, in Media and Communication in the near future, and her philosophy states "Dreams are the wings of the mind, so fly as far and as high as you can, knowing that once you can conceive it, you can make it happen".

Miss St Ann

Davia Wilson, a 23-year-old student at the University of Technology enjoys gardening, modelling, playing netball, football and reads extensively.

She has a very pleasant personality and may be described as warm hearted, self motivated and resourceful.

She is a fan of the St Ann Senior Citizen Group, who for years, contributed significantly to the preservation of traditional folk forms. She admires Claudette Pious Richardson, who she lauds for her contribution to children's homes.

Her ambition is to become a childcare officer and one of Jamaica's most outstanding women.

Miss Hanover

Angelita McDonald, a 19-year-old student of the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, has done intensive research on traditional folk forms, while focusing on her dancing and acting career.

Her warm personality is infectious and comforts many, including the elderly. It is therefore not surprising that she is president of Comforting and Reaching the Elderly.

Athletic Angelita is also a member of the Brissett Female Football Squad, the Lucea Christian Fellowship Youth Club and the Rotary Club of Lucea.

A lover of the performing arts, she is the recipient of over 14 gold medals in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's Performing Arts Competition, and is vice chairman of the Fairfield Junior Theatre Group.

Angelita hopes to become an accomplished drama teacher.

Miss Kingston & St Andrew

An accomplished 25-year-old, Tyesha Turner is a graduate of the University of the West Indies, Mona and the University of London. She currently holds a BSc degree in International Relations and an LLB (Hon).

A foreign service officer, employed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Turner is also the chairman and director - designate, community services committee, Kiwanis Club of New Kingston, a member of the HIV/AIDS Steering Committee at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, volunteer at the Golden Age Home, where she is the project leader for catering to shut-ins and she also volunteers at the Women's Centre of Jamaica Foundation.

Miss Portland

Amekia Ramsay's philosophy states "Unleash your potential and strive for excellence".

A graduate of Shortwood Teachers' College, this 24-year-old enjoys the performing and literary arts.

She describes herself as very innovative and caring. Her community involvement includes serving on the leadership team of the Port Antonio Youth Club. She is also a member of the Port Antonio Theatre Group, a member of the Future Leaders' Movement of Port Antonio and coach of the Port Antonio Primary School Netball team.

She is guided by Christian principles, and serves as a Sunday school teacher at the Church of the Open Bible.

Miss St Thomas

Twenty-three-year-old Tasha-Gae Wilson is a teacher of chemistry and biology at the Seaforth High School in St Thomas.

A graduate of the University of the West Indies, she may be described as an optimistic, diligent and honest individual who is passionate about the preservation of Jamaican music.

Tasha-Gae enjoys singing, listening to music and meeting people. Her favourite author is Dr Benjamin Carson.

She is very involved in the Holiness Young People's Union and her philosophy is "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".

Within the next five years, she hopes to achieve a masters degree in organic chemistry.

Miss Westmoreland

Sharna-Gae Brown, a 23-year-old teacher, is articulate, jovial and confident that she is on the path to accomplishing greatness.

A graduate of the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) where she obtained an associate of science degree in agricultural education, her interests include reading, socialising and watching educational programmes.

A music lover, her favourite Jamaican singer is Etana, who she admires for her determination.

She also enjoys watching the Hartford Cultural Group, who she says has created a lasting impression in her mind.

Sharna-Gae believes that she has a lot to contribute to the growth and development of culture and science in Jamaica.

Miss Trelawny

A 22-year-old graduate of the Shortwood Teachers' College, Chloe Trowers enjoys dancing, singing and entertaining.

A very resourceful individual, her personality can best be described as sociable, adventurous, creative, talented and charismatic.

Out of a desire to serve her community, Chloe conceptualised the Miracle Outreach Ministry (MOM) to assist young single mothers. She is also involved in a literacy programme and, works with several youth clubs.

Chloe's philosophy is "Do not let life discourage you, life is what you make it to be."

In the next five years, she hopes to complete her degree in Journalism.