FIFTEEN finalists in the Miss Sandals/Beaches Ocho Rios Pageant will be sashed at a reception at Beaches Ocho Rios in St Ann, this evening at 6:00.

The contestants are Topal Crooks, La-Toya Brooks, Danielle Parkes, Heather Davis, Bernadine Miller (Sandals Grande Riviera); Natalia Wisdom, Agelle Kelly, Theresa Batson, Annmarie Tennant (Sandals Royal Plantation); Simone Daley, Lashana Ellis, Monique

Gauntlett, Lenore Folkes, Taneisha Howell, Samantha McPherson (Beaches Ocho Rios).

“The contestants are very enthusiastic and we anticipate a great pageant. We are very excited to be affording our team members this opportunity to showcase their talent and personality, and we expect them to be great ambassadors of our company,” said Ian Spencer, Regional Public Relations for Sandals Resorts.

The pageant will be held at Sandals Grande Riviera on Saturday, January 11, and contestants will be judged on knowledge of the Sandals and Beaches product, stage appearance and talent.

An admission fee will be charged to members of the general public wishing to attend.

The reception will be attended by a number of sponsors including Jack Sparrow, Jamaica National Building Society, Yard & Abroad Restaurant, Mystic Mountain, Margaritaville, Digi Order and Caribbean Airline as well as managers and official from the resort chain.

Contestants have been undergoing rigorous rehearsals as well as touring a number of facilities include The Observer,

ATL Automotive and Mystic Mountains Tours.

The contestants will undergo extensive grooming, public speaking and talent coaching in preparation for the grand finals. They will also tour several media houses, tourism attractions and take part in a Sandals Foundation community treat.