RELATIONS between sister Caribbean nations Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago have been strained over the past few months, but just last week a young Jamaican charmed the audience and judges at the Miss Divali Nagar Queen pageant in the twin-island republic to take home the title.

Fifteen-year-old Rachelle Beirsay, a student at Immaculate Conception High School in St Andrew, edged the other contestants out to win the pageant organised by the National Council for Indian Culture, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Speaking to the Sunday Observer, Biersay described the experience as being truly fantastic, noting that it was an honour to represent her country.

“I was invited to participate by the National Council and accepted with honour. It is definitely a means of bringing both our countries together — relations which have been strained in recent months on immigration matters,” said Biersay, who was the youngest contestant in the pageant.

She added that to hear T&T’s prime minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, congratulate her and express pleasure in the fact that a Jamaican had won this year’s pageant, was even more heart-warming.

“The people of Trinidad and Tobago were very warm and hospitable and I felt at home during my stay there,” she stated.

For the pageant, Biersay participated in a talent segment for which she performed an Indian dance, as well as the obligatory question-and-answer section.

Biersay, who is the reigning Miss Immaculate, also holds a blue belt in karate, is a multi-award winning participant in the annual festival of the arts organised by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, as well as a Sunday School Teacher and liturgical dance instructor at the Stella Marris Roman Catholic Church in St Andrew.

She aspires to become a commercial pilot and is a past vice-president of the Aviation Club at Immaculate High.