Harvard Law grad cops Miss Jamaica World

Monday, August 23, 2010

THE second time seems to be the charm for Chantal Raymond. After a previous attempt at the Miss Jamaica World title in 2008, she decided to give it a shot this year, and on Saturday night, walked away with the title, prizes and the opportunity to represent Jamaica at Miss World in Sanya, China, later this year.

Just minutes after her coronation, it was an excited, yet extremely composed Raymond who explained to the Observer that she did not feel that she gave the contest her all on her first attempt. "This is something I have always wanted to do, however the first time I did it for the fun. This time, however, I was more determined to put in the work required to get the desired results," she stated.

She clearly gave it her all from the opening number and by the end of the night she was reaping the benefits. Second place went to 23-year-old student Kerry Moxam, while architecture major at Utech, 21-year-old Amanda-Lee McCreath was third. Both these contestants enjoyed a large following on Saturday night.

The three-hour show comprised the segments that have become customary for these pageants -- swimwear and evening gown parade and interview. The night was punctuated with the inclusion of recording artistes I-Octane, Cherine Anderson and Wasp, who all represented themselves well.

The strains of Shaggy's Strength of a Woman ushered in the elegant eveningwear parade, which saw the contestants wearing glittering gowns courtesy of Bling Bling. For some, this was where the contest ended, as the field of 16 contestants was cut to 10.

The winners of the fast-track mini competitions who gained automatic entry into the top 10 were then announced. Raymond won both the Talent competition and the People's Choice Public Vote, Kerry Moxam -- Beach Beauty, Salome Campbell -- Model, Deandra Doyley -- Sport and Shanique Mongal who took the Beauty with a Purpose Award. They were joined by Amanda Lee McCreath, Samantha Moore, Simone Poot, Simone Barrett and Alexia McLean. McCreath would later win the award for Most Aware, and Poot was voted Most Congenial by her fellow contestants.

The judges then chopped the group in half, and those left standing where Raymond, Moore, Moxam, McCreath and Poot.

Raymond, a graduate of the prestigious Harvard Law School, was definitely among the night's favourites inside the ballroom of the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. She seemed to have sealed her fate from here on with her calm, clear and concise response to the question posed by judge Karen Harriot-Wilson, who asked her thoughts on what was required for local actors to make it on the international stage. Raymond called for Jamaicans at home and abroad to lend support to this group as a means of assisting their career. This left her a clear front-runner. However, the other finalists were determined not to be push overs. Moxam, the beauty from Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, and Poot, the attorney educated in The Netherlands were also stand-outs.

The show, staged and produced by Weston Haughton, lacked the panache and style of previous years. Paula Ann Porter's excellent skills came in handy as she was able to fill gaps in the show though interviews and ad libs.

Raymond will seek to continue Jamaica's rich heritage at Miss World. Jamaica has won the crown on three occasions: Carole Joan Crawford — 1963, Cindy Breakespeare — 1976 and Lisa Hanna — 1993.

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COMMENTS (13)

Ash Lee
8/25/2010

We support our winner and we're sure Chantal will represent us to the very best of her abilities. We do agree that this competition will be/should be judged on the whole package... with that said (sentiments aside), our rep certainly has the brains & lovely smile, but what about the rest? Again, she's a lovely girl, definitely not bad looking but for a world beauty competition (it is STILL a beauty contest), she is not outstanding. We still wish her the best & the best for JA.

Wilfred Gray
8/25/2010

Congrats,chantal, beautiful and edu-gifted,jamaican girl, to the world!
Smile, Jamaica,we can smile!

paulette ashley
8/24/2010

I am just astonished by some of these comments, obviously they are not made by Harvard grads or grads of anywhere. This is a very beautiful and intelligent young woman, and Jamaicans should be happy to have her represent them. Beauty of today is judge as a package, and in case you forget Miss Namibia had won Miss World or Miss Universe. One is not beautiful because the nose is narrow or the complexion is light. Smarten up.

Ash Lee
8/24/2010

Stop the foolish talk... WE always bringing up this "Oh, I want 1 that look like me..." Then they don't count/place - nothing! Every jamaican represents me in some way... we are a mixed race/culture people. Plus to be fair we have had darker hued and/or shorter haired JA girls represent - Look at Cathy Levy, a woman name McDonald back in the 70s (very dark, with short nappy afro), etc.
This girl is a nice girl, but she's no Cathy Levy!!! Good luck all the same... we are all jamaicans :)

Michele Rainford
8/24/2010

These are beautiful women, but I agree with Pete below that the runners-up look more like the standouts. still, I'm sure she'll represent Jamaica well in China at Miss World. Maybe she'll have some momentum going into Miss world with the media buzz surrounding the great accomplishment of Yendi Phillips at Miss Universe. yesterday.

stephanie vaughn
8/23/2010

hmm..not sure how many of u were actually there. I think the winner is OK, but thats as far as it goes. She has no curves whatsoever, & mustv won cuz shes Harvard grad. I wouldv chosen any of the other 4 runners up, & if judges were confused they shouldv simply picked the runnerup voted 'most aware' ie Amanda McReath, who many thought shoudlv won! Organisers need to revamp judging, they keep voting based on scholastic merits..Lisa Hanna was only a HS grad when she won!! CIndy..same thing!! duhhh

roxanne buchanan
8/23/2010

I saw all three ladies and they all look the same, except Chantal is darker complected. I didn't see any "standouts" of the three. Go to the MJW website and see for yourself. When will we loose this European complex that has us thinking that lighter, mixed, "pretty hair" is true beauty. SMH
CONGRATS Chantal! It's good to see someone who looks more like me wearing the crown for once.

pete delisser
8/23/2010

..if anything she might win Best Smile :)..can anyone say if thats a prize in Miss World??

Christine Crooks
8/23/2010

I am very impressed with these young ladies in the competition as most are intelligent. Congrats to Chantal as I believe that she deserved it. I am a bit disappointed that the car will be loan the the winner for a year.

Don Jam
8/23/2010

I agree, the runners up fit the visual profile of a Miss World/Universe. Bad choice. Doesn't make sense. It boils down to visual beauty when the Judges choose a Miss World!!!

Jason Henriques
8/23/2010

Lisa Mahfood can breathe a sigh of relief now.

Ali Bar
8/23/2010

I agree with Pete.

pete delisser
8/23/2010

definitely not ugly,... but the runners up look more like the real 'standouts' to me.

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Harvard Law grad cops Miss Jamaica World