THE Ocho Rios Region covered itself in glory by winning seven 7 of the nine categories n the Jamaican National Finals of the Sandals and ATL Group Festival of Arts Talent and Model Search Competition, held at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort in St Ann recently.

“Our company continues to create a platform for employees to showcase their talent. The feedback we have gotten from the public has grown tremendously and has progressed into an event that is highly anticipated,” Joel Ryan, Group Manager of Entertainment.

One of the evening’s highlights was the Male Vocalist category, which saw Akeen Fennel, a bartender at Sandals Ochi, captivating the females with his velvety smooth voice and walk away with the title.

Jessica Clarke, from Beaches Ocho Rios was also a standout, and her powerful voice earned her top marks in her category.

Other Ochi Regional winners were: Alex Richards, Best Instrumentalist; Chad Roache, Best Dancer, Solo; Althia Sinclair, Best Female Model; Rosane Murray, Best Male Model; Shevaughan Sewell and Reynaldo Gray, Best Group Dance.

The other winners were from the Whitehouse Region: Kerry-Ann Morris, Best Spoken Word and Jason McIntrye, Beaches Negril, Best Clash DJ.

Started in 2003, the Festival of Arts (formerly ENCORE) was created to foster and develop talent within the Sandals and Beaches Hotels.