Sachique Williams crowned Miss St Mary Festival Queen

Sachique Williams has been crowned Miss St Mary Festival Queen.

The warmth, charm and charisma exuded by the winner, was evident from her opening sentences in which she displayed an unmatched confidence.

“Words cannot express how elated I am feeling right now. I want to use this opportunity to show what my parish can do and ensure that I work within the community to make St Mary and, by extension, Jamaica, the best place to live,” Williams said after accepting her crown.

Williams topped the field of seven contestants in what was a very competitive event.

She won herself a prize package inclusive of $120,000 courtesy of JP Tropical Foods. Williams will have part of the prize money as sponsorship, under the brand JP St Mary’s, to assist in her preparations for the national competition.

JP Tropical Group’s Marketing and Business Development Manager, Tara Goulborne, said the St Mary-based company has always been willing to assist residents of the parish in achieving their goals.

The Festival Queen competition, she said, was the perfect avenue to provide Corporate funding.

"Coming on board as a sponsor for the JCDC Festival Queen competition was an easy decision for us. JP St Mary's, has a rich history of farming in the parish. This is where our farm is located and, of course, where the brand originated from. The JCDC Festival Queen competition provides a platform for ladies who are not only intelligent, but are culturally aware,” Goulbourne said.

The 21-year-old Williams, who wore the sash of Miss James Bond Beach, is a graduate of the Westwood and Ardenne high schools and presently attends the University of the West Indies.

Jusan Hamilton, was awarded the first runner up prize, while Diandra Eliza Daley, was selected as the second runner up. Hamilton also won the sectional prizes of Most Poised, Most Congenial and Most Popular on Social Media.

All seven contestants were deserving of a crown but Williams prevailed in the eyes of the judging panel which consisted of Winston Clarke, Dwight Hoilett, Fayan Rhoden, Rev. Wanel Alexander and Slean Harris.

The National Festival Queen was crowned out of the parish of St Mary last year and reigning queen, Akera Gowie, was on hand to crown the parish champion.

Williams also copped the sectional prize of Best Performer for her drama skit, Life Nuh Fair.

The contestants were judged in the areas of eloquence, stage presence, walk and poise, creativity, content, delivery/presentation and interpretation. They were also pre-judged in community involvement, leadership qualities and achievements, heritage, culture, current affairs and consciousness in the role of women locally and internationally.