KINGSTON, Jamaica –The elimination and sashing of contestants in the 2016 Miss Teen Jamaica contest will be held at the Courtleigh Auditorium, New Kingston, on Sunday, April 24.

This was announced by Peta Gaye Foster, daughter of the founder of J’Syn Promotions, former lifestyle advice columnist, Janet Sinclair, who died suddenly last September, from a heart attack.

Foster said that 18 finalists will be selected at the event, and the finals will be held on July 31. Sponsors  include the University College of the Caribbean (UCC), Triple Century Sports Bar, Dennis Shipping, Sanmera Paper Products, Gk Motors, Coldfield Manufacturing, J’Syn Promotions, Sopi Motors, Woodstock Negril, Nazz Restaurant (Falmouth), Advanced Service Station (St Thomas); Cashwiz, Seal Investments,  Grab n Go, Lawson’s Block Factory and Discount  Lumber in Montego Bay; and, Dr Dylan Marfan, Marvelus Entertainment and Kiki’s Tutoring Service in Florida.

Sinclair, who wrote a very popular love advice column in the Star in the 1970s, started the annual Miss Teenager Jamaica contest in June, 1981. It later evolved into Miss Teen Jamaica.

Sinclair felt that the contest has made a tremendous contribution to the development of female teens in the Jamaican society. She said it provided a vehicle for economic mobility and social flexibility, allowing them to meet new friends, speak with other bright, young people and learn about the workings of the public and the private sector.

Since her death there has been speculation as to whether the contest would continue. The current Miss Teen Jamaica Khadeen Johnson (Miss Danreg Fashions), who was crowned in July, 2015. Top prizes include scholarships to the UCC.

Balford Henry