DECLARING she has struggled with mental health issues, newly crowned Miss Universe Jamaica East (2022) Zara Holmes says she hopes to put the spotlight on the disorder during her reign.

“I personally struggled with mental health issues and I feel like a lot of people are afraid to talk about it, especially for us at this stage of our lives, in this generation. Our parents haven’t been very open about it, they’re not really accustomed to talking about things like that. So, we’ve grown not to be open to these conversations,” Holmes told the Jamaica Observer shortly after her crowning on Saturday night. “During my reign, I want to start advocating for mental health.”

The grand coronation took place inside the Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston.

Holmes, who wore the sash Miss Legacy Aesthetics, beat nine other females, primarily university and college students, to take the Miss Universe Jamaica East title.

“I think all the girls were amazing. I guess it was my poise, elegance, and how I answered the questions that gave me the edge,” she said.

Miss Universe Jamaica East is one of the regional pageants in the annual Miss Universe Jamaica competition.

A former student of Immaculate and Ardenne high schools, Holmes is a The University of the West Indies (UWI) final-year student. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications.

“I’m so excited to start my journey and I’m thankful to everybody. I feel amazing, thanks to the sponsors and the people who helped us along the way,” she said.

Holmes said she was encouraged to enter the pageant by friends and family, and thought it was an ideal platform to express how she felt about mental health.

Celine Walters (Miss Holywell), a statuesque bio-technology student at The UWI, finished in second place. Walters won two of the sectional prizes — Best in Swimwear and Most Photogenic.

“I am very grateful and thankful. This was unexpected. I think that the judges saw my confidence and how relatable I am and those attributes probably helped in their decision,” said Walters.

Walters said she was encouraged to enter the contest by a pageant scout.

“I was scouted to enter and I decided to give it a shot and that’s how I got into the pageant. I’m still lost for words,” she said.

Titania Mycko (Miss Cally’s Spot), who won the sectional prize for Best in Evening Gown, finished in third place.

“It definitely has been an exciting experience and I am very grateful for my placement and I am looking forward to trying out at the national pageant,” the Portmore resident, who studies marine biology at The UWI, explained.

A former student at the Immaculate Conception in St Andrew, Mycko said pageantry was something she always wanted to be part of.

“I wasn’t confident back then and I’ve always been a lover of pageants. I wanted to be the embodiment of being confidently beautiful,” said Mycko.

The Miss Universe Jamaica East pageant got off approximately an hour late. The 10 finalists made an appearance with last year’s winner Trishani Weller (Miss Universe Jamaica East 2021) and later competed in the swimwear and evening gown segments.

After the announcement of the top-five, the other two finalists were Safiya Dewar (Miss 876 Terrace) and Tara Kelly (Miss Terry Cosmetics), there was a second interview segment in which contestants were questioned on local and international affairs.

Trilissa Walker, pageant manager for Miss Universe Jamaica East, was pleased with the evening’s turn of events.

“Firstly, we must thank the contestants for their hard work and commitment. Any one of them could have been crowned winner. After a very long day, they all stepped out on the stage and wowed their supporters. Congratulations to all the ladies,” said Walker.

“Our new queen, Zara, stood out with the judges in both closed-door interviews and on stage. She truly is a beauty with a purpose and we look forward to all that she will bring to her reign,” he continued.

Singer Camar performed at the event.