St Catherine breaks 29-year drought to win Miss Jamaica Festival Queen 2019
Published:Friday | August 2, 2019 | 12:00 AM
Damion Mitchell, Integration Editor
After a 29-year drought, the parish of St Catherine has reclaimed the national festival queen title.
In front of hundreds of patrons at Kingston's National Arena, 23-year-old Khamara Wright was on Thursday night announced the 2019 Miss Jamaica Festival Queen by host Dahlia Harris, who, incidentally, was the last person to win the crown for St Catherine in 1990.
Wright did not claim any of the six sectional prizes, but performed creditably throughout the night and might have clinched the crown in the interview segment when she responded to the question: What are your views on the teaching of Creole in Jamaica's education system?
She said it was imperative that Creole is a taught in the education system to reinforce it as an element of the Jamaican culture so that children can own a part of the uniqueness of brand Jamaica.
This might have been when Miss St Catherine, 23-year-old Khamara Wright secured the 2019 Miss Jamaica Festival Queen title telling why the Jamaican Creole should be taught in the education system. pic.twitter.com/ZUakM0OqwC
— Damion Mitchell (@DamionMitch) August 2, 2019
Miss Kingston and St Andrew. AnnaKay Hudson, was first runner-up and Miss St James, Chardonnae Parkins, second runner-up.
Earlier, Wright's rendition 'Ital Ting' was among the better talent pieces in an uncharacteristically dull segment of the show that simply came and went.
Khamara Wright, Miss St Catherine, emerges from 'The Herb' for her talent piece in the Miss Jamaica #FestivalQueen. pic.twitter.com/n7rGyLoPii
— Jamaica Gleaner (@JamaicaGleaner) August 2, 2019
But where the contestants failed to sparkle, entertainer D Burnz ignited spirits when he hit the stage.
Delivering reggae hit after hit, D Burnz said it would be a "Bam Bam" if his favoured contestant did not win, but made it clear that all 13 young women were his contestants.
Reggae artiste D Burnz sets the National Arena on fire at the Grand Coronation of the #MissJamaica #FestivalQueen. #Jamaica57 pic.twitter.com/jC6XKGMexc
— Jamaica Gleaner (@JamaicaGleaner) August 2, 2019
Then, he delved into the dancehall with a bit of Beenie Man's catalogue before demitting stage to loud cheers.
This year's Miss Jamaica Festival Queen has won $450,000 in cash plus numerous other prizes and will reign for one year.
Sectional prize winners
Best talent - Miss Hanover, Reneise Johnson
Most congenial - Miss St Ann, Chantelle Bryan
Most poised - Miss St Thomas, Dru-Lissa Grant
Most popular on social media, Miss Clarendon, Alecia Byfield
Most culturally aware - Miss Kingston and St Andrew, AnnaKay Hudson
Most active in community - Miss Kingston and St Andrew, AnnaKay Hudson
Top five
Dru-Lissa Grant - Miss St Thomas
Tamara McPherson - Miss St Elizabeth
Khamara Wright - Miss St Catherine
Chardonnae Parkins - Miss St James
AnnaKay Hudson - Miss Kingston and St Andrew
The National Arena in Kingston erupts in cheers as all 13 finalists in the Miss Jamaica #FestivalQueen Competition hit the stage in formal wear. #Jamaica57 pic.twitter.com/sPWKEBOOJw
— Jamaica Gleaner (@JamaicaGleaner) August 2, 2019
Other contestants
Isha Nation - Miss Manchester
Reneise Johnson - Miss Hanover
Elieza White - Miss Portland
Alecia Byfield - Miss Clarendon
Chantalle Bryan - Miss St Ann
Nordi-Kaye Wiggan - Miss Trelawny
Sashique Williams - Miss St Mary
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