The Classics| Beverly Holness is crowned Miss Mona Heights

Published December 10, 1962

AMIDST thunderous applause, after suspense-filled minutes, Beverly Holness was on Saturday night chosen “Miss Mona Heights 1962”, out of a field of eight contestants. Erica Cooke (“Miss Colgate Palmolive”) was chosen second-placed winner and Maureen Lumsden (“Miss Plumbago”), third.

The new queen, who wore the "Miss Purity Products” is the 17-year-old daughter of Mr and Mrs Hugh Holness of 23 Camelia Way, Mona Heights. Wearing a sheath of while glow light satin, the contestant was a favourite with the audience from the moment she stepped on the beautifully decorated stage. The cocktail length gown, with a draped bodice and slanting tiers of fringe overlapping each other on the skirt, had a low plunging “V” back with a slit on each side. To complete the all-white pattern, she wore crystal beads with matching earrings and white elbow-length gloves and shoes.

Miss Monica Dhu (Miss Mona Heights 1961) crowned her successor and also presented her with the Eric Clerk Cup. Prizes for the winner consisted of a trip to Mexico City by Pan American Airways and arranged by Martin's Travel Tours, a dress from Hanna’s, a mirror, a Cameo set and a Playtex gift, donated by L. J. William Marketing Co. Mr David Seivright presented the winner with a cheque for £25 on behalf of her sponsors.

The vital statistics of the winner, who has just left St. Andrew High School; are 36-241/2-37. She is 5’ 4” tall and weighs 120 pounds.

The second-prize winner wore a dress of white drama, cut on the “A” line with a scooped neck-line bias folds all over. A self-rose clinched the 23 ½ waistline. Like all the other contestants, she completed her ensemble with white shoes. For her prize, she received a week at the Arawak Hotel donated by the St Ann Hotel Company, a string of pearls from the Popular Jewellery Store, a Playtex gift, a Cameo set and a plaster of Paris figurine.

Maureen Lumsden, the third prize winner was the only contestant who did not wear white. She chose an aquamarine dress of peau-de-soie featuring a bell skirt caught up at the hemline with blue rose. For her prize she received a travelling kit from Merle Norman Cosmetics who did the makeup for the contest, a vase, a Playtex gift, a plaster of Paris figurine and a Cameo set.

The prize for the best hair-do was awarded to Patsy Pinchong who also received the judge’s prize. Other special prizes were awarded, best eyes to Fay Allen, good-spirit, Janet Matthews and best complexion, Pauline Hayle. The prizes, donated by Cameo Products, were presented by Mrs Marjorie Bateman. Mrs Bateman was presented with a corsage by Miss Mona Heights 1062.

The judges were, Mr Keble Munn, M.P. for the area, Mr Clive Morin, President of the Jamaican Junior Chamber and Mavis Gilmore.