Nashauna Drummond, Acting Lifestyle Coordinator

Miss Jamaica World 2007 Yendi Phillipps being sashed by Miss Jamaica World 2005 Dr. Terri-Karelle-Griffith.

Based on the crowd's response from the first moment she came on stage, there was never any doubt that Yendi Phillipps would at the end of the night walk away with the Miss Jamaica World 2007 title.

The vivacious 21-year-old had the audience eating out of her hands as she sashayed, winked and even blew a kiss at her adoring fans.

The audience thought she had it all. The judging criteria were beauty of face and figure, deportment, personality, intelligence and ability to converse. No one dared blink during the talent segment as she pranced across the stage dancing to Peggy Lee's rhythm and blues hit, Fever. They were absolutely entertained.

The judges apparently also thought she was a hit as she won three of the four mini competitions - Best Talent, Beach Body and Sports. She also copped the sectional prize for being Most Aware. The wider Jamaica seem to love her as well as she also won the public vote. The Fashion Model competition was won by Renae Ellis; and Simone Poot was adjudged Most Congenial.

The top 10 included all the mini competition and sectional winners, plus Jody Shaw, Marika Hornsby, Tiffany Ellis, Rosina Casserly, Racquel Powell, Tina Ingram and Kristin Metz.

The top five came down to Casserly, Phillipps, Ellis, Shaw and Powell.

Interviews

The interview section separated the queen and princesses from everyone else. Jody Shaw said she thought capital punishment was immoral. Powell told judge Tommy James that for persons who wanted to come to Jamaica for a holiday they should be prepared to return as they would be intoxicated and definitely want to come back. The audience applauded for over two minutes when Casserly answered Kayon Smith Stokes' question on the benefit of such a competition to the nation. The petite 5'3" Miss Muscle Fitness and Health said, "The competition empowers young women and once you empower a woman, you empower a nation."

And if Yendi could go anywhere in the world, it would be to her namesake in Ghana. But for now, she will have to settle for Sanya, China, where she will represent Jamaica at the 2007 Miss World competition on December 2.

Surprised

Despite the obvious support of the crowd and copping most of the prizes, Yendi still seemed surprised when it was announced that she was Miss Jamaica World 2007. As second princess Jody Shaw and first princess Rosina Casserly were sashed, members of the audience quietly chanted, 'Yendi, Yendi!' When the queen's white sash came on stage they screamed, knowing over whose shoulders it would be draped.

However, Miss Perfectil couldn't stop the tears that flowed as she walked towards the centre and was sashed and crowned by Miss Jamaica 2005 Dr. Terri-Karelle Griffith. As she sat on her throne, she looked up, closed her eyes and mouthed 'thank you'. She seemed completely surprised, but she was the only one.

First princess Rosina Casserly, Miss Muscle Fitness and Health. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Second princess Jody Shaw, Miss Optical Solutions, gets her share of the spotlight.