The 13 finalists from left to right are Tamika Robertson, Tenecia Samuels, Racquel Bryan, Violet Chang, Kayon Sunath, Olivia-Lee Campbell, Ayisha Richards, Latoya-Simone Grant, Tricia Cameron, Fiona Fennel, Sanya Hughes, Stacy-Ann Gooden and Janique Johnson. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
WELL FOLKS, its that time of year again -- beauty contest season.
First out the gate, as usual, is Pulse Investments and their Miss Jamaica Universe eliminations. It was with showers of blessings from above that they chose their final 13 at Villa Ronai on Sunday. The show, which was scheduled for a 5:00 p.m. start, got underway, in true Pulse fashion, at 6:40 p.m.. However, this time around they blamed it on the rain, and to be fair to them, they have had functions which have started much later before.
On to the show. A group of 16 young women, clad in white shirts and blue denim pants, strutted their stuff for a crowd of family members, friends and well-wishers.
Emcee for the occasion, Pulse boss Kingsley Cooper, told the audience that they had searched the island extensively to ensure the highest possible standard of girls.
From the onset, a few girls were definitely in the wrong place, these we knew would feel the elimination axe. However, on the appearance of the 13 finalists, one got the feeling that Pulse could have made the task easier for the judges and the 'misplaced trio' and choose a final 10.
This year's finalists vying for over a million dollars in cash and prizes are Fiona Fennel, 19, a contributor to The Gleaner's youth magazine, Youth Link, Tricia Cameron, a medical student; Latoya-Simone Grant, a student teacher; Stacy-Ann Gooden, 23, a New York-based television news anchor; Janique Johnson, 21, a UTech business student; Tamika Robertson, 18, an EXED student; Racquel Bryan, 26, a nurse; Violet Chang, 27, a masters student in psychology; Tenecia Samuels, 24, Sandals sales manager; Olivia Lee Campbell, 24; Sanya Hughes, 19, First Global customer service officer; Kayon Sunath, 22, Fairfield resorts office manager and Ayisha Richards, 25, Miss Jamaica World 2000 and law student.
Emerging crowd favourites were Kayon Sunath, Tenecia Samuels and Sanya Hughes. One finalist, Janique Johnson, was a favourite of her sister who screamed loudly whenever she was called on-stage. The other members of the audience were not as impressed.
So who is the winner? Well, from Sunday night, one cannot say, but it is early days yet.
