MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Twenty-year-old Deidria Watt now holds the crown as the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Festival Queen for Manchester.

A law student and insurance advisor, she was one of the crowd favourites among eight participants at the Cecil Charlton Hall in Mandeville on May 10.

Watt also walked away with sectional prizes as best performer, most culturally aware and for community involvement.

Watt will be competing against other parish winners for the national title in July.

Law enforcement officer Janice Johnson copped second place and sixth form student Scereki Hinds was next in line at the coronation.

The 2014 Manchester contestants’ bid to represent came at a time when the parish is celebrating its bicentennial year.

Mayor of Mandeville Brenda Ramsay told them that they were representing a “beautiful and unique” parish.

Formed in 1814 Manchester is Jamaica’s youngest parish and boasts accomplishments such as having the oldest golf course in the Western hemisphere, creating the ortanique plant, and being the parish where Irish potato was first introduced to Jamaica.

Outgoing queen Krystal Tomlinson who now holds the national title reminded the contestants that it is important to be good role models.

She is the fourth Manchester Festival Queen to be crowned at the national level.

— Alicia Sutherland

CAPTIONS:

0101: Manchester Festival Queen for 2013 Krystal Tomlinson talks to the audience about her reign as she prepares to pass on the crown.

0123: New Festival Queen for Manchester Deidria Watt (centre), first runner-up Janice Johnson (left) and second runner-up Scereki Hinds.

1167: These Knox Junior School students won gold in the JCDC dance competition for 2014.

1158: Guests at the Manchester Festival Queen Competition at Cecil Charlton Hall all received Excelsior treats thanks to this affable company representative.

1157: Glowing audience members

1042: Contestant Janice Johnson, who wore the sash Best Meals Restaurant, won the sectional prize for being most poised.

1132: Deidria Watt was best performer.

1145: Second runner-up Scereki Hinds transformed into a Rastafarian for her talent piece.

0039: Sponsored by Manchester Co-operative Credit Union, Tiekena McKoy was adjudged Most Congenial contestant.

(PHOTOS: GREGORY BENNETT)