SEVENTY-FOUR delegates are scheduled to participate in the Miss Supranational beauty pageant which takes place on July 15 in Nowy Sacz, Poland.

Jamaica’s delegate to the international pageant is 27-year-old Carisa Peart. She was crowned Miss Jamaica Supranational in March.

“I decided to enter the pageant after being told about it. I did my research and then I agreed to enter. I saw it as a great way to represent my country and to sell Jamaica to millions of viewers from around the world,” Peart told the Jamaica Observer.

She said her family and friends were supportive of her decision.

“My family and friends have been very supportive. They see it as a great way to share my platform on mental health and empowering the youth through a mentorship programme,” she said.

The Miss Jamaica Supranational pageant was held virtually this year with eight contestants.

“As a result of COVID-19 concerns, the pageant was held virtually. This was on March 15. We submitted videos and we were interviewed by a panel of judges via Zoom. My reign has been good so far, most of my interaction has been on Instagram. For the Miss Supranational pageant, we have started the competition virtually. We did what is called a Supra Chat and I was in a group of eight contestants. We were asked three questions and the winner of this first round was determined by public votes and one by the judges. Myself and Miss Haiti (Lynn Rubiane St-Germain) were selected as winners of that round,” said Peart.

Competition for the Miss Supranational title begins on June 27. The 74 delegates will participate in several competitions, including Miss Elegance, Model, and Talent prior to the preliminary show. The finals will take place on July 15.

Peart, who says she hopes to become the first Jamaican to bring home the Miss Supranational crown, is from St Ann. She attended the Brown’s Town High School and is currently in her final year at Liberty University in New York, where she is completing a Master of Art in Communication with a minor in marketing.

“My family is from the beautiful parish of St Ann, I have five siblings, three sisters and two brothers. I am grateful for the values my parents have instilled in all of us. I am who I am today because of their guidance, hard work, dedication, wisdom, values, and ethics. I love cooking and my favourite sport is track and field. I currently work for the New York County District Attorney’s Office, as a community associate for victims of crime and abuse. So, I am currently living in New York,” said Peart.

Peart was a top-10 finalist in the Miss New York USA pageant in 2021.