University student crowned queen of Portland

Gareth Davis Sr, Gleaner Writer

Port Antonio, Portland:

Twenty-one-year-old University of Technology student, Nicole Hopkins, sporting the sash Miss Hotel Timbamboo, walked away with the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) - sponsored Portland Festival Queen Competition last Saturday night.

It was a competition held between eight beauties, who paraded their respective pieces, while gaining applause from the near-capacity crowd at the Port Antonio High School auditorium.

Earlier, the elimination took place and saw the top five beauties, Latoya Clarke, Miss Lee's Maxi Mart; Maurica Smart, Miss Nicole's Beauty Supplies; Sherehelia Hall, Miss Mack D's Auto Sales; Kashana Duncan; Miss Coronation Bakery, along with the 2011 queen, being selected.

Those eliminated were Taralee Tracey, Miss Tropical Money Systems; Kristina Wright Miss Prospect; and Mikhail-Lee Myles, Miss Mizpah Funeral Supplies.

sectional prizes

The sectional prizes were shared among the five, with Clarke winning best performer; Hopkins, most poised; Hall, most congenial; Smart, most culturally aware; and Duncan, the performer which best depicts Jamaica's vision 2030.

In addition, Smart, was voted first runner-up and, in the process, won herself a cash prize of $15,000 along with a weekend for two at Fern Hill Villas.

Clarke emerged as second runner-up, earning $10,000.

Winning queen, Hopkins, who received the crown from outgoing queen, Amekia Ramsay, also won for herself $20,000, a music system from Singer, a weekend for two at Gee-Jam Resort, along with other prizes.

The University of Technology student likes going to the movies, cooking, reading, lying on the beach and socialising.

By virtue of her victory, Hopkins, who is now the cultural ambassador of her parish, will go on to the national finals of the Festival Queen Competition slated for July 16.