Karena Gayle crowned Miss St James Festival Queen 2023
Published:Tuesday | June 27, 2023 | 12:38 AMChristopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Vocal cheers and vuvuzelas resounded throughout the Montego Bay Cultural Centre on Sunday evening as 18-year-old Karena Gayle overcame five competitors to be crowned Miss St James Festival Queen 2023.
Gayle, a resident of Bogue Village in St James, was all smiles as she claimed the throne and received the crown from Shavae Scale, the Miss St James Festival Queen for 2022. Jessica Johnson was named first runner-up, while Leah-Jay Holness was second runner-up.
Speaking to The Gleaner immediately following her crowning, Gayle, who aspires to become a medical doctor, expressed joy at being given the opportunity to represent her parish in this year’s Miss Jamaica Festival Queen staging.
“I am ecstatic, I am truly ecstatic. I did not expect to be in this seat, but I persevered, and I am so happy,” said Gayle. “I am aiming for the national competition, and I believe I can do some more work; but I trust and believe that with the committee members, it will be possible.”
During the evening’s three-hour proceedings, Gayle, who proudly wore the sponsorship sash of M&M Jamaica Limited, held the audience’s attention with her energetic Riddim Pastor talent piece. She later donned a blue gown for the contestants’ evening wear parade. She copped two sectional prizes, Most Culturally Aware and the Most Poised. Johnson claimed the prizes for Best Performer and Most Popular on Social Media, while Holness was voted Most Active in the Community. Zaria Lawson was voted Most Congenial.
Concerning her planned parish project as St James’ new Festival Queen, Gayle said she intends to focus on youth-targeted education combined with physical fitness.
“As it relates to my project, I am very big on education, and I am a fitness enthusiast, so my programme will look to educate the youth using fitness. It will be a programme utilising education and physical education, where you are bettering your physical health to better your mental health, and using education to achieve upward social mobility,” said Gayle.
Be your best self
Meanwhile, in her farewell message as Miss St James Festival Queen 2022, Scale advised her successor to persevere in all future endeavours and to never put forward less than the best effort.
“To the incoming St James Festival Queen, know that it will not be easy, but if it were anyone and everyone could do it. Continue to strive to be your best self always,” said Scale. “You have made it, yes, but remember to always be kind and always be humble, and do not give up. This journey is whatever you make it out to be, so once you give your best, know that you will be loved and supported.”
In addition to Gayle’s crowning ceremony, as part of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s 60th anniversary celebration, Sunday’s proceedings saw tributes being played in honour of iconic women who have contributed to Jamaica’s theatre landscape. The women who were showcased and honoured during that feature included Fae Elington, Iris ‘Terri’ Salmon, Melita Samuels and the late Dr Louise Bennett-Coverley, Barbara Gloudon, and Leonie Evadne Forbes.