New crown, great improvements for MJW

Eager sponsors, past and present beauty queens, and lovers of women and all things beautiful turned up at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Wednesday for the launch of the 38th staging of Miss Jamaica World (MJW).

In welcoming the gathering, franchise holder Laura Butler highlighted some of the improvements and changes that will be made to this year's competition. This, the third year under her regime, she shared that it has been a tough but rewarding experience thus far, giving credit to the tremendous work of her hand-picked team who work into the wee hours of the mornings.

Dedicated to the development and uplifting of the young women who enter the competition and Jamaica as a whole, this year, full scholarships valued at $J5 million will again be offered, and all the outfits worn by the contestants will be locally made to support Brand Jamaica. Also, the Beauty with a Purpose segment will continue to assist the seven charities under its belt.

pre-labour day project

And speaking of Beauty with a Purpose projects, Butler was beaming with pride as she noted that the 2014 project had the largest budget to date, valued at J$4.5 million - Jamaica's first autistic model classroom at McCam Child Care and Development Centre in Papine. Still under construction, Butler invited persons to give a helping hand on Saturday, May 23 as part of their pre-Labour Day project to help paint the facility. She thanked the sponsors who have helped with the construction and furnishing of the facility.

What's new for MJW 2015? Butler was anxious to spill the beans as she announced plans to host Miss World 2014 Rolene Strauss, and CEO of Miss World pageant, Julia Morley, who will be visiting the island for the grand coronation on August 15, to show their support of the local pageant and discuss the possibility of Jamaica hosting a future Miss World competition.

Girl Next Door

Another announcement was made by The Gleaner Company which is again on board, sponsoring through their Flair Magazine publication - The Girl Next Door competition. This competition will get ordinary Jamaicans in the mix, inviting them to nominate eligible young women they come in contact with on a daily basis, who they think can become the next Miss Jamaica World.

In announcing the competition, assistant manager of business development and marketing at The Gleaner Company, Terry-Anne Wilson, kept a tight lid on the long list of prizes and surprises for the nominee whose contestant goes the furthest in the competition.

A new part of the line-up is also a new crown, a replica of which was worn by reigning Miss Jamaica World, Laurie-Ann Chin. Eliminations take place on June 21.

randy.bowman