Under the theme ‘Enhancing Lives Through Beauty’, 14 contestants participating in the 2016 Moon Palace Jamaica Grande Miss Universe Jamaica North East pageant were sashed by their respective sponsors on Saturday evening.

The occasion was held at the Moon Palace Jamaica Grande resort in Ocho Rios, St Ann.

The females, whose ages range between 18 and 26 years, were chosen from several casting calls conducted on the north coast.

According to franchise holder Shelle Parchment, cast callings were held to assist in their selection.

“Myself and a couple team members did casting calls in deep rural areas from St Ann to Portland. We even visited some tertiary institutions in our quest to recruit suitable candidates,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

This is the third year Parchment is promoting the event.

Shortly after appearing in swimwear, the contestants were presented with their respective sashes.

Nicole Stoddart, reigning Ms Universe Jamaica North East (2015), who finished in the Top 10 at the Miss Universe Jamaica finals, was on hand to give support to the participants. She reflected on her reign.

“My reign has been fantastic. I did a lot of overseas travelling, modelling, charity work and also giving back. It has been an amazing year and I am thankful for that,” she explained.

An element of this year’s pageant is the joining of Moon Palace Jamaica Grande’s Palace Foundation and Miss Universe Jamaica North East, which, in their ongoing effort to empower through caring, will feature 14 pre-teens who will be adopted and mentored by each contestant and be featured on coronation night.

The 14 finalists are: Sherica Brown, Ms Morgan’s Trucking; Bianca Ebanks, Ms Punkie Facebeat; Candice McCleod, Ms Ace Loan Express; Abehnah Gonzalez, Ms RMP Studios; Shequelle Fuller, Ms Art’s Car Mart; Chandel Williams, Ms Cool Runnings Catamarans Cruise; Sherika Prince, Ms Click Media Online; Crystal Foreman, Ms Signs North Coast; Shulonie McCalla, Ms Moon Palace Jamaica Grande; Imani Angus, Ms Tie Di Knot Events Planning; Kadeem Baker, Ms Spectrum Systems Ltd; Monique Grant, Ms Beauty Statement; Peta Hoo-Fatt, Ms Jamaica ToursLtd; and, Shanice Clarke, Ms Cool Oasis.

The grand finals of the Moon Palace Jamaica Grande Ms Universe Jamaica North East pageant will take place on June 18 at the resort. The winner will advance to the national finals of the Ms Universe Jamaica 2016 pageant.