Evening of celebration marks the crowning of Miss Jamaica 1954

The grand finale of "Beauty Contest Week" unfolded at the Myrtle Bank Hotel, where seventeen-year-old Judy Verity was crowned Miss Jamaica 1954 before a cheering crowd. The evening followed a week of festivities, including a float parade, tea parties, rum punch gatherings at the Flamingo, and a bathing suit parade.

Published Monday, October, 25, 1954 

Judy Verity crowned ‘Miss Jamaica 1954’

SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD JUDY VERITY was crowned “Miss Jamaica 1954” at the Myrtle bank Hotel to the cheers of a huge crowd.
This was the grand climax of “Beauty Contest Week” in which there was a float parade, tea parties at the Woean’s Club, and the Royal rum punch parties at Hotel Flamingo, a bathing suit parad,e also at the Flamingo, a dance at the Glass Bucket Club, and dinner at the Manor House Hotel.

Announcement of the winner was made at midnight by Mr. Bill Mc-Lurg, chairman of the judges, after the 16 contestants had paraded on a magnificent gold, white, and blue dais on the lawns of the Myrtle Bank Hotel.

‘Tears of joy’

Runners-up were Caroline Sowley and Dorothy DeLisser, who were also favourites with the public.

Judy Verity burst into tears of joy at the announcement but soon recovered her poise.  Wearing an evening gown of white lace and nylon tulle, she presented a regal appearance.

An Issa creation, it was fashioned with a strapless bodice of lace, which fitted tightly down to the hips, where it merged into a wide circular skirt sweeping the gown.

A tulle stole topped this creation, which showed off her well-proportioned figure to perfection.  Her measurements are 35”, 23", 35”.

Big moment of the contest – the “coronation”- was performed by last year’s titlist, Evelyn Andrade, who herself wore white.

The Hon. R. W. Youngman, chairman of the contest committee, congratulated and kissed the new “queen” and placed on her the regal purple sash inscribed with gold lettering “Miss Jamaica 1954”.

Prizes won by Miss Verity included a two-week trip to London and Paris, given by Martin’s Travel Service; a screen test, by the J. Arthur Bank Organisation; the Goya Cup, given by Distributors Ltd; a bedside radio given by Levy Bros; a modelling course with Gertrude Sherman’s Mannequin Club; one year’s Redifusion service by Radio Jamaica; negligee and gown by NuWear Garments native handicrafts by Jamaica Welfare Ltd; a travelling clock by the Jamaica Furnishing Co. Ltd., and a Jamaican wood picture frame by Stanley Motta.

The second- and third-prize winners, as well as the other contestants, also received prizes.
During the prize-giving, there were some impromptu donors.
Mr. Christopher B. Hills donated 2,500 francs for “Miss Jamaica” to spend in Paris.  Mr. L.. J. Taylor of the National Dry Cleaning Company donated one year’s service of dry-cleaning to both runners-up.

To the third prize-winner Mr. David Lyons of Lyons Ltd. gave a Pye bedside radio, and Mr. Peter Waeckerlin, of Coruba House, gave two bottles of Mumms Gordon Rouge 47 champagne.

Prizes in the float parade awarded to Esso Standard Oil Goya (Distributors) Ltd. and B. W. I. A. were also distributed.

Reva Webb received the Esso prize, and the Goya prize was handed to Sheila and Joyce Nasralla and Shirley Galan.  Mrs. Lucy Radcliffe received the prize on behalf of B. W. I. A. 

After the prize-giving, the gathering broke into gay informality for a few minutes during which the other participants and some members of the crowd kissed Judy. There was a call for a"speech from the queen" and Judy thanked everybody for being so nice in a charming speech.

Other participants who all looked lovely in their evening gowns, were Audrey Leon, Yvonne Byles, Greta Rodriques, Reva Webb, Jean Forrester, Sheila Nasralla, Elizabeth Flowers, Shirley Galan, Glenda D’Oyen, Jennifer Campbell, Joyce Nasralla, Patricia Alford, and Norma Stanley.

Judges of the contest were Mr. MeLurg, Mr. and Mrs. Victor Powell, Mrs. V. Keating, Mr. George Desnoes, and Mr. Edgar Stewart.

Parade tonight

Michael Howells, who did a good job as “emcee” throughout, congratulated the contest committee on “a fine show”.  He said it had been sponsored by the Jamaica Amateur Bodybuilding Association for the second year in succession, and the association aimed to make it an annual event.

He also announced that “Miss Jamaica” and the other contestants would parade at Carib Theatre tonight. Members of the contest committee were the Hon. R.W. Youngman.  Mr. Harry Vendryes, Mr. Ken Rhino, (who is also president of the Jamaica Amateur Bodybuilding Association), Mr. Donald Bernard, Mrs. Gertrude Sherman, Mr. Pat Byles, Mrs. Winston Lyon, Mr. Ivan Levy, Lady Allan, Mrs Elias Ammar, Mrs. Harold Brodhurst, Mrs. Ronald Bengry, Mrs. Owen Plant, and Mr. Sam Levy.

For feedback: contact the Editorial Department at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com.