‘One of the best Father’s Day gifts ever’

It was a proud Bishop Devon Johnson who sat beside his daughter, Sheri-Gaye, in the queen’s chair as Father’s Day was ushered in minutes after 12 o’clock Sunday morning.

“This is one of the best gifts I can ever receive. I didn’t expect this, but I can tell you I am elated, I am excited, I am overjoyed, overwhelmed. She is a product of good parenting and I know she will make this country and this parish proud as a daughter,” he gushed in a post-event interview with The Gleaner.

From the get-go, Sheri-Gaye was the crowd favourite. Her confidence, talent and well-thought-out response to how Clarendon can merge agriculture with tourism in the question-and-answer session were winners. Even the member of Parliament and Minister of Agriculture Pearnel Charles Jr, who sat like a proud parent cheering on, could not fault her response.

Johnson, who lives in Longville Park, is a past student of Glenmuir High School and is currently pursuing a major in integrated marketing communication at The University of the West Indies.

Commenting on her victory she said she prayed for it and is ecstatic. She shared, however, that she had some “moments of doubts”.

HARD WORK PAID OFF

“I was indeed surprised. Like I said I have prayed for this, but sometimes when we pray, we tend to doubt ourselves, but by the grace of God the work that I put in I come out victorious,” she noted even as she took time out to commend her competitors hailing them as phenomenal women.

Johnson whose official project is geared towards raising awareness to the resources available to help children who are being abused said it is something that is near and dear to her heart.

“I believe that a lot of persons do not know the many resources available to help them when they are going through things such as that. So that is what I want to do to help raise awareness on the resources out there to help. I want to also raise awareness about human trafficking,” she said.

Johnson’s mother who was beaming with pride sitting on the edge of the chair described her daughter as a “go-getter”.

“She has always been excelling and tonight is no different. I feel very proud about her achievement, proud mommy.”

In addition to copping the title, Sheri-Gaye walked away with sectional prizes for Best Performance, Most Active in Community, Most Culturally Aware and Most Poised. In addition to gift packages, she received a cash prize of $60,000 and a trophy from the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, organisers of the event.

Sasha-Kae Bernard walked away with the second place prize with Rohanna Ludford rounding out the top three, receiving cash awards of $40,000 and $20,000 respectively as well as gift packages. Rannoi Sutherland was named Most Congenial.