Jamaica Festival Queen 2014 crowned

Rochelle Keane, Lifestyle Writer

"A nuh bleach mi a bleach, a dus tone mi a tone," these were words spoken by Miss Jamaica Festival Queen 2014 Anjell Bryan last Saturday night as she performed her dub-poetry piece to a cheering crowd.

Although the competition has its origins steeped in culture, each contestant spoke of the need for women to be strong, independent and happy in their appearance.

Musical pieces had some of the audience rocking to the beat while comical dramatic numbers had others laughing in their seats. In all, the night was full of excitement and a display of talented young Jamaica women.

Every facet of woman was on display as the contestants graced the stage in beautiful gowns by Uzuri International, Colleen Panton, Cokobeenz, Andrea Lindo, Margaret Chambers-Kidd, and Latoya Doulatt. Poised and in control, the women who ranged in age from 18 to 25 were morethan just a beautiful face. They were all vying for the perfect platform
ideal for the culturally aware, intelligent and poised young women who
were all seeking an opportunity to contribute to the development of
their community and country.

After displaying their talents and
showing their eveningwear, only five out of the 13 contestants
representing our 14 parishes remained to answer the question that could
give them the crown. The top five included Miss St James Trudy-Ann
Hylton, Miss St Ann Sharlene Codner, Miss Trelawny Honica Brown, Miss
Clarendon Petrina Williams, and Miss Kingston and St Andrew Anjell
Bryan. After some very confident answers, only one queen could get the
crown, and that was Miss Kingston and St Andrew, our new cultural
ambassador for 2014.

Photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer