St James banker Candice McLeod emerged winner in the Moon Palace Jamaica Grand Miss Universe Jamaica North East pageant held in Ocho Rios, St Ann, on Saturday night.

The win makes the 24-year-old, who wore the sash Miss Ace Loan Express, the first finalist to advance to the 2016 Miss Universe Jamaica beauty pageant.

“I am now more confident, I can express myself more, and I met 13 really nice girls. This has been a very good experience for me and I am looking forward to using my title to bring awareness to children with different disabilities,” she told the Jamaica Observer after being crowned at the Moon Palace Jamaica Grande.

Finishing in second place was 21-year-old Shanice Clarke (Miss Cool Oasis), while 26-year-old Kadeem Baker (Miss Spectrum Systems Limited) finished in third place.

Sectional prize winners included: McLeod — Best Smile; Abenah Gonzalez — Best in Swimwear and Runway Star; Shequelle Fuller — Most Photogenic; Crystal Foreman — Most Congenial; Kadeem Baker — Social Media and Most Aware; and Shanice Clarke — Best in Evening Gown.

Chelle Parchment, franchise holder for the Miss Universe Jamaica North East pageant, was pleased with the night’s execution.

“Our team was absolutely amazing. All the girls are winners, but Candice stood out tonight. I know she is going to do us proud at the Miss Universe Jamaica finals in August because she will be representing the country girls,” said Parchment.

Guillermo Oliva, director of sales at Moon Palace Jamaica Grande, said the hotel was pleased to have been associated with the pageant.

Five-member female band Adahzeh thrilled the crowd with a number of familiar songs, including Alton Ellis’s

Ain’t That Loving You, Marcia Griffiths’ Feel Like Jumping and David Ruffin’s Walk Away from Love.

— Kevin Jackson