The word ‘incredible’ is a recurring expression the current Miss Jamaica World, Solange Sinclair, describes her reign thus far.

It’s been seven months since she was crowned Miss Jamaica and then jetted off to China where she finished in the top 10 at Miss World and earned the Miss Caribbean Queen of Beauty title, and the young lady who hails from the second city, Montego Bay, is enjoying every moment.

“It was an incredibly beautiful experience. I went to China for Miss World where I won Miss Caribbean and started the official Miss World tour in Asia, so we went to India, Indonesia, China, then we came to the British Virgin Islands and now I’m back. It’s been such an amazing experience. I’ve definitely learned a lot , it’s been incredible seeing young women — 18, 19 and into their early 20s — doing remarkable things in their countries to make a difference through that ‘Beauty With A Purpose’ mantra,” she said.

Sinclair readily admits that the competitions and titles have definitely had a huge impact on her.

“Oh, I’m not the same person that I was when I first entered,” she gushed.

“I’m now much more confident in myself to be able to speak publicly and to really fight for whatever it is that I believe in, and it has been incredible to see things around the world — that we all come from difference walks of life, but at the same time we are all human and deserve an equal and fighting chance. It is so important that we just don’t live for ourselves but stretch our hands out and help others. I’ve always thought that, but seeing what this platform stands for, I now know that its really possible to do it… it’s easy, all you have to do is… do it,” she gushed.

The glitz and glamour aside, for Sinclair it is the way the pageant has touched the lives of many through the ‘Beauty With A Prupose’ mission statement that will remain with her.

“Seeing the look on people’s faces when you have helped them out of something. For example, in India we visited a lot of different schools and spoke to girls where feminine hygiene is considered unclean. They don’t talk about it — it is taboo. So often women are carted away from society, and to see the look on these young girls’ faces when we come and we talk to them about something that they are going through and we are able to help them … that just stands out. Here in Jamaica where I’ve visited a few schools, and just seeing the children’s enthusiasm when you just go and touch them and talk to them… reason with them, that has definitely left an impression on me for a lifetime,” the beauty queen stated.

This year’s pageant is in new hands, headed by long- time show producer Weston Haughton and playwright Aston Cooke. That team is currently scouting contestants and eliminations set for July 21 with the coronation show on September 1.

Sinclair has nothing but encouragement for young ladies who are undecided.

“Any young lady who is out there and not too sure about entering this competition, my advice is… just do it. Don’t think twice, as only good things can come from it. Jump out of your comfort zone and go for it. This platform is such an incredibly important platform for you to be part of, because it’s not just focused on you looks; it’s beauty from the inside out and it’s your purpose. You are young, you are vibrant. Simply go for it, you have nothing to lose,” she encouraged.

— Richard Johnson