NEGRIL, Westmoreland — Crowd favourite Tricia-Gay Smith-McIntosh was crowned the 2015 Miss Beaches Negril Talent and Awareness queen at the Jungle Night Club in Negril, Friday night.

The first runner-up was Therese-Ann Jowrey, while Trevine Cole copped the second runner-up prize.

Wild cheers and screams accompanied emcee Weston Haughton’s announcement of the winner.

“I am elated. I am excited. It was a wonderful journey and I am looking forward to my reign as Miss Beaches 2015,” said Smith-McIntosh, an entertainment coordinator at Beaches Negril, following her crowning.

She said that she is looking forward to being a Sandals Foundation volunteer.

“The Sandals Foundation, that’s something I wanted to be a part of from I first started working at Beaches three months ago. The reading programme especially, definitely is gonna be on my list,” said Smith-McIntosh, who wore the sash Miss Maxi Press Limited.

As part of her first-place prize, Smith-McIntosh received a five-night/six-day stay at any Sandals or Beaches resort; a Sandals Corporate University scholarship valued at US$120 for course certification from the American Hospitality Educational Institute; as well as JA$25,000 cash; a certificate; a 7″ Tablet courtesy of ATL and a gift basket from Best Dressed Chicken.

All 11 contestants received a gift basket from Caribbean Producers of Jamaica (CPJ).

On her way to winning the crown, Smith-McIntosh, who impressed the scores of patrons and the panel of judges, which included Nekeisha Myrie-Kozer, Cecile Levee, Ashley Martin and Winthrope Wellington, was also awarded two sectional prizes – Most Aware and Most Talented.

The vast majority of the audience rooted for the entertainment coordinator each time she appeared on stage, whether in evening gown, outfit made from recycled material, or strutting her stuff during a moving talent piece which spoke to women’s empowerment.

During the question-and-answer segment, during which a small percentage of the contestants stumbled, Smith-McIntosh had to consistently pause in order for the deafening applause to subside so she could be heard by the judges.

The coronation night’s entertainment package included performances from Tifa, Silver Bird Steel Band, Eklektic Dancers, Sandals Negril’s vocalist Andre Palmer and Beaches Negril’s songbird Shellydean Bartley.

Sponsors for the event included Margaritaville Negril, Sherwin Williams Ltd, Ashley Martin Designs, Tai Flora Services Ltd, Urbany Designs, Appliance Traders Ltd, Select Brands, Uzuri International Designs, VIP Attractions, Rainforest Seafoods, Riverside Pharmacy, Transwest Ltd, Best Dressed Chicken, Strong Arm Ltd, Garbage Disposal & Sanitation Systems, Kool Runnings Adventure Park, JUTA Negril, Chukka Caribbean Adventures, Caribbean Producers Jamaica Ltd and Sandals Resorts International.

The coronation show, which was organised by the Beaches Negril Sports and Social Club, was held under the theme ‘Beauty without Boundaries,’

As part of the activities leading up to the pageant, the participants were groomed in public speaking, etiquette, appearance and decorum, which formed a pivotal part of their development. They also received significant exposure to the Caribbean tourism product and participated in community outreach activities.