Kyesha Randall is Miss St James Festival Queen

WESTERN BUREAU:

When the 2016 Jamaica Festival Queen competition unfolds later this year, 25-year-old Kyesha Randall will be wearing the Miss James sash, having secured the parish title at the Iberostar Hotel, Montego Bay, on Sunday evening.

"I feel elated, although I did not expect that I would win tonight," said Randall, who beat back the challenge of seven other contenders to be the 2016 St James Festival Queen. "I just came in confident but not overconfident. I just went in ready to have fun I had fun on the stage and it paid off."

Randall, who is from Pitfour and is a public relations and marketing officer by profession, was sponsored by Rose Hall Developments.

Second was Cindy Asobo, sponsored by Fontana Pharmacy, while third-place Tasmarie Whitelocke was sponsored by WIcan Supplies.

In addition to the festival queen title, Randall took the sectional award for being the Most Poised contestant. "I am looking forward to the national competition," said Randall. "I am a little bit nervous, but I am looking forward to it, and with preparation, I will be ready," she said. It will take place in August.

In her new role, Randall plans to motivate as many young persons as possible through her performing arts skills. "I just really want to embark on my motivational movement in that I want to use the performing arts to motivate young men and women. So as soon as I can get to do that, I will be very happy," declared Randall.

In congratulating her successor, Issia Thelwell, the 2015 St James Festival Queen, urged Randall to make the most of the experience. "Enjoy every moment, every second, and everybody you will meet," said Thelwell. "This will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you will get the chance to take with you forever, and I wish you the time of your life."