Miss Jamaica Festival finalists

The 13 finalists in the Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Competition 2010 are currently in the heights of preparing for the national finals to be held at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre on July 17. They are poised to take the title of Miss Jamaica Festival Queen and the role of cultural ambassador.

This year's theme: 'Jamaican Women ... Shaping Our Culture'.


Miss Portland

Amekia Ramsay lives by the personal philosophy, "Unleash your potential and strive for excellence".

A graduate of Shortwood Teachers' College, the 24-year-old enjoys the performing and literary arts.

In the next five years, she sees herself as an aspiring politician contributing to the growth and development of education, sports and culture in Jamaica.

Miss St Ann

Davia Wilson is a 23-year-old student at the University of Technology. Her philosophy: "we cannot reconstruct the past but we can construct the future by accentuating all positives and eliminating all negatives".

Her ambition is to become a childcare officer and one of Jamaica's most outstanding women.

Miss St James

Tashane Grizzle is a 23-year-old accounts receivable analyst, and a past student of the Undergraduate School at Montego Bay High.

Her community involvement includes the 'Literacy for Life' programme which is designed to help individuals develop an appetite for reading and a desire for learning. She also provides comfort for abandoned children through frequent visits to places of safety.

Tashane sees herself completing a degree with first-class honours in media and communication in the near future.

Miss St Mary

Twenty-one-year-old Monique Clarke is a past student of St Mary High and graduate of the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE), where she reigned as Miss CASE 2008.

In her community, Monique has been mentoring teenage mothers and serves as a Guide for a Brownie group.

Miss Westmoreland

Sharna-Gae Brown is a 23-year-old teacher who is on her way to greatness.

A graduate of the College of Agriculture, Science and Education she has an Associate of Science degree in agricultural education, and believes she has a lot to contribute to the growth and development of culture and science in Jamaica.

Miss Hanover

A 19-year-old student at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, Angelita McDonald has done intensive research on traditional folk forms while focusing on her dancing and acting career.

She is also an athlete and a member of the Brissett Female Football Squad, the Lucea Christian Fellowship Youth Club and the Rotary Club of Lucea.

Having chosen a career in teaching, she hopes to become a very accomplished drama teacher.

Miss Clarendon

Shellean Pinnock is an ambitious 25-year-old who has a master's degree in education. A teacher, her community involvement enables her to interact with youth who have a desire to excel.

Miss Kingston and St Andrew

An accomplished 25-year-old, Tyesha Turner is a graduate of the University of the West Indies, Mona, and the University of London. She currently holds a BSc degree in international relations and a LLB (Hon).

She is a foreign-service officer, employed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. Her community involvement includes: member of the HIV/AIDS steering committee at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, volunteer at the Golden Age Home, project leader for catering to shut-ins and a volunteer at the Women's Centre of Jamaica Foundation.

Miss St Thomas

Tasha-Gae Wilson is a 23-year-old chemistry and biology teacher at the Seaforth High School in St Thomas.

A graduate of the University of the West Indies, she is very involved in the Holiness Young People's Union.

Within the next five years, she hopes to achieve a master's degree in organic chemistry.

Miss St Catherine

Keneisha Allen is a 22-year-old graduate of The Mico University College and is currently employed as a credit manager.

She also serves as a member of the Mona Lions Club, assisting students with special needs.

Miss St Elizabeth

Monique Foster is a 19-year-old student of the University of the West Indies. Her ambition is to become one of Jamaica's most outstanding lawyers and actresses. Her philosophy: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".

Monique is also the president of Kunti Kinte Cultural and Theatre Group.

Miss Manchester

Johnnel Smith is a 22-year-old graduate of Manchester and Bishop Gibson High schools, and more recently the University of the West Indies.

A lecturer and entrepreneur, she is currently a co-producer on BESS FM, a director of Manchester Institute Computer Literacy programme, and a member of Rotaract Club of Mandeville.

Miss Trelawny

This 22-year-old graduate of Shortwood Teachers' College, Chloe Trowers, enjoys dancing, singing and entertaining.

Out of a desire to serve her community, Chloe conceptualised the Miracle Outreach Ministry to assist young single mothers. She is also involved in a literacy programme and works with several youth clubs.