WESTERN BUREAU — Seventeen year-old Doneida Simpson, a first-year fashion and design student at the Montego Bay Community College, was on Sunday crowned “Miss Trelawny Festival Queen 2002” at a function held at the Starfish Resort, near Falmouth.

Simpson, who was considered the most culturally aware participant, won from a field of nine in a keenly contested competition.

“I am very surprised that I have won, even though I went in the contest with the hope of winning…. I am overwhelmed,” Simpson told the Observer, shortly after her coronation.

Simpson said she entered the contest because she wanted to build on her cultural awareness and self-esteem as well as to expose her talents and to become an ambassador for her country.

Her prizes include the Winston Parnell Memorial Trophy, a weekend for two at Hedonism III, a cash award from Mack Dee’s Auto Sales and a microwave.

Second place went to 17 year-old William Knibb High School student, Sherita Harriott, who won the ‘best depiction of parish’ sectional prize.

Harriott’s costume was designed in the shape of a yam and she gave a report on the economic importance of the tuber to the parish.

She walked away with a cash award from SuperPlus Stores, the Christopher Jobson Trophy and a weekend for two at the Fern Hill Hotel in Portland.

Heidi-Ann Butler, a 21 year-old sales clerk, was also among the top three. Butler won sectional prizes for being the most congenial contestant and for wearing the best gown.

She was presented with a cash award, the Clance McGhie Trophy and dinner for two at the Pebbles Resorts.

Social worker, Alecia Besley, was selected as the ‘most talented’. She did a dramatic original poem entitled ‘Jamaica No Problem’ which went down well with the crowd.

Simpson will represent the parish of Trelawny at the National Festival Queen contest to be held in Kingston later this month.

Last year, 19 year-old Terry-Ann Tucker was selected as the Trelawny Festival Queen. She later went on to win the national title.