ALTHIA Sinclair is brimming with quiet confidence as she looks forward to representing Jamaica in the Sandals Caribbean Encore competition this Friday.’

Having topped the regional (Negril) and national segments of the competition, the Caribbean finals will be the last hurdle for her en route to her making mark as a model.

A native of St Elizabeth’s Quick Step community, Sinclair has been successfully hurdling personal challenges in her life and is therefore undaunted by the level of competition she faces. She will tell you that although her parents are alive, the quality of parental support she receives is equivalent to being orphaned.

It’s the classic Cinderella story with a few twists.

Her mom left home when she was a baby. Sometime after dad got married to a woman who made life very unpleasant.

She therefore roved between grandparents and aunts as a child. While at Maggotty High, she developed an interest in singing and drama and vowed that she would make a career in entertainment if she did not get to fulfil her childhood ambition of becoming a lawyer.

Life was not easy for the teenager who, despite demonstrating leadership skills through promotion to class monitor then deputy head girl at high school, was forced to part-time work at a fast-food restaurant in Mandeville. Ambitious and determined, she later got a job at the Treasure Beach resort, but that also proved problematic as the salary could barely cover transportation lost. Her hardships intensified when she became a mother, but she pressed on nevertheless, motivated by the need to find a way to support her daughter, especially since the dad was not living up to his obligations. Through the support of a good friend she kept sending out applications.

Finally, with the help of another friend, she was able to manoeuvre her way into an interview with C Andrew Martin, entertainment manager at Sandals Negril, despite not having the ideal qualifications. She recalls that she was very nervous in the unfamiliar environment.

Martin decided to take a chance on her.

One year later, Sinclair has proved her worth, serving with distinction in the entertainment department at Sandals Negril.

She has brought glory to her hotel by winning the Most Talented segment of the Miss Tourism Competition and was adjudged the top female in the ENCORE Jamaica finals.

While looking forward to success in the modelling world, she also has ambitions to better qualify herself in order progress in life.

In the meantime, she says her love for music and drama will always keep her involved in entertainment no matter what else is happening in her life.

“I have dreams and goals and it is up to me to make these a reality,” she told Way out West.