A grandmother’s love propels Miss Universe Jamaica 2024’s journey

At the bon voyage event for Miss Universe Jamaica 2024, Rachel Silvera, her beloved paternal grandmother and guardian, Maxine Silvera, stood by her side, offering her unwavering support.

In 2015, Maxine took Rachel into her home from St Mary, wanting to provide her with better opportunities.

“Her mother had five children, and she was sort of burdened, and I wanted to really give her the best, and I wanted to give her more than I figured that she would get in the country. I knew there was something in Rachel from [when] she was a little child. She was just different, and I decided to ask her mother for her and to take her and grow her. She came to me at 15 years of age, and I got her into Immaculate Conception [from Mary Mount High School] quite miraculously, and from she came there, she just excelled,” Maxine told The Sunday Gleaner on Monday at the bon voyage event held to send off the country’s reigning Miss Universe Jamaica to Mexico City, held at the AC Hotel Kingston.

Maxine recalled that she has been happy to know that Rachel is a young lady many girls look up to, including during the time she was a student at Immaculate Conception High School.

“One day, I was passing two little first-formers, and one said, ‘That’s Rachel Silvera’. And one said, ‘Hi, Rachel’. It’s like they were in awe [because] she just has that quality about her,” she said.

The moment Maxine walked into the room at the AC Hotel Kingston, her excitement and wonderment were palpable. Her granddaughter will take the stage in Mexico City at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico, on November 16 to represent Jamaica.

Maxine shared that she did not know that Rachel was re-entering the Miss Universe Jamaica pageant after placing second in the 2022 Miss Universe Jamaica competition.

“I don’t know if she thought I would disagree. She went, and she and my daughter, Diana, conspired, and after the fact was done, that is when I knew [about the eliminations], so I was going to church, and I asked, ‘Where you going?’ That is when I knew, so I ditched church and went along with them,” Maxine told The Sunday Gleaner.

Like any parent, Maxine shared that she and Rachel occasionally have their differences when Rachel takes a path she might not agree with, but over time, they have learned to live together harmoniously.

“I think we are too much alike. We are too much alike, so when you are alike, you know, you rub one another, but we love each other. I love her very much, and I know she loves me. Sometimes, we would [disagree], and then she would come and stand up in front of me, and I would say, ‘You want a hug?’ And she’d say, ‘Yes’,” Maxine said.

“I was privileged to really make a mark in her life, and I know she’s going to continue upward,” she said.

Cutting in on the interview, Rachel said: “She definitely did improve my quality of life. The fact that I am here today she has a big part to play with that. Every time someone asks me, ‘Who’s your hero? I say my grandmother because she is the rock, not just to me, but [to] my entire family. She is our rock in times of need. She is a corner to turn to and someone to encourage, empower, and uplift,” she said.

After welcoming Rachel into her home, Maxine, knowing that Rachel’s younger sister, Ruthann, was still at their mother’s house and close to her, extended her care to Ruthann as well. On Monday evening, Ruthann looked on with admiration at her sister’s achievements.

This is an act Rachel is grateful for, now having her little sister living with her and looking up to her.

“We are very attached. We look very similar, so I think that has a lot to do with it, but she looks up to me, and I knew that I needed to be a figure in her life so that she could become the lady that she’s becoming today,” Rachel told The Sunday Gleaner.

For Ruthann, she is just happy Rachel is her role model and that she taught her how to dance.

“She will be a queen to the rest of the world, but she’ll always be my big sister. She was the person [who] introduced dancing to me, and dancing has been a passion since I was very, very young. I remember she used to teach me, and my stepsister dances for church, and we would dance every Sunday, and I have been dancing ever since,” Ruthann said.

ainsworth.morris@gleanerjm.com