Miss Jamaica World Top 13 selected
Published:Friday | November 4, 2022 | 12:14 AMAaliyah Cunningham/Gleaner Writer
The 2022 staging of Miss Jamaica World is on, and the top-13 finalists have been selected.
According to the co-franchise owner, Dahlia Harris, this year promises to be an exciting show with just a few changes.
“Our selection process [this year] included a sit-down interview to learn more about [our applicant’s] personality, passion for charity, and understanding of the Miss World pageant, among other things,” Harris told The Gleaner.
“Last year, there were a lot of restrictions because of COVID-19. This year we want to include Miss Jamaica World supporters as much as possible, so we will be executing some of our fast-track events where the public has access. Our Beach Beauty, for example, will be at Fort Clarence Beach on November 6, while Emancipation Park will host our Jamaica Moves Fitness Fast Track event on November 19,” she continued.
The top-13 girls are Miss Courtleigh Hotel Group Garisha Grant; Miss Miakalani Swim Shanika Samms; Miss Interlinc Tashwania Buchanan; Miss Artwell Classic Prints Tahje Bennett; Miss Knutsford Express Sabrina Farquharson; Miss RE TV Lineisha Davis; Miss Jamaica Observer Mikhalia Nathan; Miss Dining With Curvy Khamara Wright; Miss TM Ross Beauty Chavel Wilson; Miss Howard Johnson Realty Shanique Singh; Miss Emancipation Park Toni-Ann Martin; Miss Len’s Catering Rishema Daley and Miss QORHIC Asheka Robinson.
As Jamaica closes out its celebrations for its 60th Independence anniversary, the pageant will incorporate the theme throughout this year’s competition, and it continues to produce ambassadors for Brand Jamaica.
“’Reigniting a Nation for Greatness’ can only be sustained through consistent action. Our Beauty with a Purpose projects identify areas that are critical to our society and design programmes that will help to achieve positive long-term outcomes. The contestants are invested in legacy; we not only reignite, [but we also] maintain and support greatness in our communities and our lives. We, therefore, position the spirit of Jamaica 60 as a tangible movement for every Jamaican,” said Harris. Furthermore, she believes that the competition brings together a wide cross-section of Jamaican women who consistently exemplify the Jamaican motto. “It is always interesting to see our motto, ‘Out of Many, One People’, reflected in the group of finalists every year. This year is no different. The finalists come from varied backgrounds and experiences. What unites them is a vision for national development through the empowerment of women,” she said.
For the 2022 staging, the level of sponsorship behind the event is always a major concern, but the organisation makes do with those who come onboard.
“There are always individuals or organisations who offer to support once the coronation is done and/or we do well at the Miss World level. Very few follow through on those statements. We are, however, extremely grateful for those sponsors who continue to partner [with] and support us through cash or kind. We absolutely couldn’t do this without them,” Harris explained.
The Miss Jamaica World coronation show is scheduled for Sunday, December 4. As Jamaica waits to see who the next queen will be, Harris said she is anticipating the young women’s growth and development in the coming weeks. “It is absolutely amazing to observe them at the start of the process and note the positive changes which last way beyond coronation night. We are just always grateful for the support we receive from the Jamaican public and ask that as these finalists experience this journey, they give them as much love and support as possible,” she shared.
The reigning Miss Jamaica World is Khalia Hall. In 2019, Toni Ann Singh took home the title of Miss World and was also the longest-reigning queen in the pageants history.