Jamaica wins first Miss Global title
Published:Wednesday | September 29, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
While there was little joy for Malaysia and Venezuela, Jamaica's Shereen Sterling made the Western Hemisphere proud when she won the coveted Miss Global International 2010 title on Sunday night at the Grand Palladium Resort, Hanover.
Sterling, a medical student at the University of the West Indies, received stiff competition from first runner-up, Venezuela's Maria Isabel Figuera and second runner-up Malaysia's Marlene Lim. At the end of the evening, Sterling walked away with prizes including cash, a personal website development from Plitz Marketing, a weekend for two at the Grand Palladium, a Digicel Blackberry phone, a trophy and a portfolio and photo session with Brian Rosen.
She outdid 19 other contestants in what has been tagged the largest contingent in the five-year history of the competition.
The event attracted beauties with brains from countries as far as Africa's Zambia, Nigeria and Liberia. Europe's Belgium, Mexico, the United Kingdom, The Bahamas, Canada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti and the United States.
"I kept looking at Miss Venezuela," said an elated and surprised Sterling after accepting the first-place position. She was quick to point out that she was confident of doing well in the competition, "And make my country proud."
It was the first in the history of the competition that a Jamaican has won the crown. The 23-year-old joined the ranks of Zimbabwe's Ropa Garise Cynthia Muvvurin, who won in 2006 and 2007 respectively; Trinidad and Tobago's Kincie Mills, 2008, and The Bahamas' Azaria Clare in 2009.
Role model
Motivated by her mother's strength, the Montego Bay High School graduate wants the island's young women to see her as a supreme role model. Already heavily involved in her own charity, she has been assigned the Good Shepherd Foundation by pageant organiser Lachu Ramchandani.
Ramchandani, in an interview on Monday, told The Gleaner he was elated and pleased with the judges' decision.
"This competition has grown tremendously and the support has increased considerably," said the man who earned a reputation as king of pageants.
Miss Guyana, Renee Chester, Most Talented; Miss Malaysia Marlene Lim, Most Congenial; and Miss Zambia, Nakabinga Katandual's Best National Costume, were among the other women who excelled in the competition.
Valdeana Bain, Miss Bahamas, and Trevicia Adams, Miss Nevis, were among the top-five contestants.
Miss Global International Pageant sponsors included SoftSheen, Grand Palladium Resort and Digicel.