Hanover and St James sash festival queens
Published:Wednesday | June 8, 2022 | 12:09 AMAlbert Ferguson and Bryan Miller/Gleaner Writers
WESTERN BUREAU:
Eighteen phenomenal young women have been sashed by their respective sponsors as they prepare to compete in the Miss St James and Miss Hanover festival queen competitions.
Launa Alvaranga, chairman of the St James’ Jamaica Cultural Development Cultural committee, speaking at the St James sashing ceremony, held on Saturday at the Grand A View Hotel in Montego Bay, said she was excited by the prospects of the St James parish final.
“Over the years, the competition has produced some outstanding queens who have made significant contributions to nation-building and Brand Jamaica,” she noted. “The programme emphasises the appreciation for our deep, rich, complex creativity, talents, intelligence and community involvement.”
Tamika Davis, member of parliament for Western Hanover, was equally excited as she addressed the audience at the sashing ceremony, held in Bustamante Square, Lucea, Hanover. “What impresses me most is that it is not simply beauty on the outside, but the beauty that we see on the outside is mirrored on the inside, and I know that you are all wonderful ambassadors,” said Davis.
Both parishes hope to take home the national title. In her address, Deputy Mayor of Lucea Andria Dehaney-Grant said the time is right for a Miss Hanover Festival Queen to win the national competition and be crowned Miss Jamaica Festival Queen.
Arguing against the background that Hanover will be celebrating its 300th year of being declared a parish later this year, and that Jamaica celebrates 60 years of Independence in August, she said that the time is right for a Miss Hanover Festival Queen contestant to win the national competition.
“I am speaking it into being; the time is right for us to get that national crown. We have gotten first and second runners-up in the past. As we are approaching our 300 years as a parish, I know that we will be winning it (the national competition) this year,” she speculated.
Attorney-at-law Morganne Kellier, the reigning Miss St James Festival Queen and second runner-up in the 2021 Miss Jamaica Festival Queen competition, said she expects big things for St James this year. “I am expecting St James to come up on top this year,” said a beaming Kellier in a Gleaner interview. “I can see the potential with the ladies. I know that when we get to the national level, it is a bit more intense, but I do believe that St James has the power this year to take the national title,” said the reigning Miss St James Festival Queen.
The Miss Hanover Festival Queen coronation is set for June 25, while the St James Festival Queen coronation will take place on June 26. The contestants are between the ages of 18 and 26. They will be required to showcase their rich cultural history and talents as they compete for the national title.
Representing the second City are Claudine Mitchelle, Shavelle Aitcheson, Marna-Lee Wilson, Aniska Christie, Nahfeeti Whittingham, Nerissa Turner, Aleasia Shakes, Georgy Ann Brown, Kellisha Stewart and Shavae Scale. Jadeya Burgher, Marieka Shaw, Brianna Johnson, Celine Richardson, Teassica Williams, Valecia Vassell, Daniela Walker and Audrianna Garricks will represent Hanover.