Flair

 Twenty-five-year-old Kai McDonald was selected to represent Jamaica at the 10th staging of the Miss Earth beauty pageant to be held in Vinpearl Land, Nha Trang, Vietnam, in December.

More than 80 contestants from various countries and territories will compete for the title. The Miss Earth winner serves as spokesperson for the Miss Earth Foundation, the United Nations Environment Programme and other environmental organisations.

McDonald's selection was done at the executive level, after several potential candidates were screened using the international pageant's judging criteria which includes overall appearance, beauty of the face, swimsuit fitness, poise and elegance, personality, environmental awareness and intelligence.

Born in Clarendon, McDonald attended Wolmer's Preparatory School and Wolmer's High School for Girls where she was deputy head girl.

She is also trained in piano by the Kathleen Hickling Bond School of Music, and has played in local concerts at the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts. She was also a member of the Wolmer's Dance Troupe for 11 years.

She is currently a student at Florida International University pursuing her studies in finance. As an advocate for 'going green' her goal is to set up projects and workshops in Jamaica, in order to promote environmental change.