HERE IS one of the 20 contestants in the Miss Jamaica World Competition. Leading up to the Grand Coronation Show scheduled for September 11 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, the contestants will participate in various mini-competitions which will determine the top 10. The 'Talent', 'Sports' and 'Beach Beauty' competitions are three such competitions. The public is invited to 'Pick the Winner' via telephone voting by using their C&W
bmobile phones.
To vote for Raquel Allen call 444-4212
Name: Raquel Allen (Miss Key Insurance)
Age: 21 years
Occupation: Bank Teller
Height: 5'5"
Weight: 115 lb
Vital Stats: 36-24-38
What is your response to the claim that beauty contests are superficial?
"I do not believe that beauty contests are superficial, as currently the pageant has a programme where each contestant receives classes relating to her speech, her poise, intellect and her overall stage presence. And seeing that our inner beauty shines through in our personalities, then we cannot consider a contest that deals with a breathing being to be superficial. It's a very real aspect of our culture."
What in your opinion is your best quality?
Physically, it would be my smile. My inner quality that is most prominent would be my ability to communicate easily with people who I meet on a daily basis, my charisma.
How does being in the competition affect your career goals, and how will it affect them if you win?
At present, I work in a bank. This is not my career choice. It's something that I'm doing in hope of pursuing my end goal in going into Mass Communications. This is very much aided by the experience I'd be getting in the pageant, publicity in the media via television and the print media.
What do you think of the addition of the talent, sports and beach beauty mini-competitions to the pageant?
I think the additions go a far way in proving to many people who have the opinion that this contest is based on physical beauty that this is not so. It allows contestants to showcase their inner strengths, their talents and to vocalise the fact that beauty comes from within and serves a purpose within our country, a purpose that should extend to every citizen of our nation.
Which of the mini-competition would you stand the best chance of winning?
Sport and Beach Beauty. I think I'd have a chance of winning both of them. Sporting, I'm very active. I excel at whatever it is I do at the time. With the Beach Beauty, it comes through with the natural poise that I have.
Name three must haves.
Family, financial stability and a well developed educational background.
Why should you win the title of Miss Jamaica World?
I think that I should win because I represent all the good things that a Jamaican woman should have. I have beauty of face, I'm very intelligent, work well under pressure, I work well with others, I communicate well and in general I feel that I'm able to go to the 2004 Miss World Pageant and present the best that Jamaica has to offer.