THE Portmore-based Glowell Preparatory School recently pulled off a major coup with the successful staging of its first ever Mini Miss Glowell, Miss Glowell and Mr Glowell competitions, as part of the school’s 20th anniversary celebration.

Despite the late start and a ceremony that ran for four hours, parents remained patiently in their seats to applaud the winners.

Grade two student Unique Watson won the mini title, with Alayah Walker and Alexxia Smith as first and second runners-up, respectively. Grade six student Arianna Carless took the crown for Miss Glowell, with Amoy Miller and Siann Bailey second and third, respectively. Ramoy Robinson took the title for the boys, beating Damali Haye and David Richards.

The little ones, from ages six to 12 years, put on a rich display of cultural items ranging from songs, skits, dances, and poetry, to an appreciative audience of mainly parents at the school, based in the Cedar Grove Estate community in the Portmore municipality.

The cheers were loud from the first appearance when the contestants introduced themselves, telling of their career goals and their mottoes. They later appeared in sports and formal wear, and all did a talent piece.

The top five in the Mini and Miss Glowell competitions were asked questions by the judges. With only four boys entered for the Mr Glowell competition, there was no need for an elimination.

The competition was the brainchild of dance teacher Sheriel Kerr, who has helped the school’s junior and senior dance troupes in several parish and national gold medal performances.

“For two years I wanted to do this when I saw the hidden talents in the children. I just wanted to find a way to get them exposed so I thought of a pageant and Miss (Gloria) Jack (founder and principal) give me the go-ahead. More than 40 kids did an audition and we selected 24 of them,” Kerr said.

Vice-Principal Gillian Myers, who shared emcee duties, was happy with the first staging of the event.

“The purpose of the pageant was to give the students a platform to showcase their talent, build self-confidence, self-awareness and lift school spirit. Throughout the process many of the participants have come out of their shells and have blossomed into quite the ‘entertainer’. We have also unearthed some new talents,” said Myers.

“The event, in my opinion, was a success. We will be back next year with a more compact show that will hopefully yield even better results,” she added.

Main sponsors were Sun City Radio, Livewell Pharmacy, Molz Medical Centre, Devon Bourne Service Station, and K & K Auto, Florida. Some parents also sponsored their children.