IT’S been 10 years since the Miss Jamaica Independence pageant was last held. If founder Howard McGowan has his way, it will be back soon on the entertainment calendar.

“We are looking at reviving the pageant next year,” McGowan told the Jamaica Observer.

The contest was first held in 1980 by Mahogany Promotions to coincide with Jamaica’s independence celebrations. Three years later, Ebony Promotions took over and organised the event for the next 15 years.

DH Promotions staged the last event in 2004.

According to McGowan, winners were selected based on knowledge of Jamaica, intelligence, beauty and talent.

He says the 1991 contest was the biggest.

“We had 24 finalists which is still a record for the pageant. Later on, we added two titles, Miss Heritage and Miss Culture,” he recalled.

Some noted personalities entered Miss Jamaica Independence including Judie Morgan O’Sullivan, a winner in the 1980s and now a Justice of the Peace; Jacqueline Jackson, the 1993 winner, who is currently marketing and public relations officer for the Miss Universe Jamaica pageant; Dahlia Harris, a senior member of the ministry of youth and culture, who finished in the top five in 1992; and Tanisha McGhie, runner-up in 1999 and winner of the 2000 Miss Jamaica Festival Queen title.