TWENTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD Toshami Calvin — who won the Miss Universe Jamaica title inside the ballroom of the AC Hotel Kingston on Saturday night — is crediting the pageant for boosting her confidence.

Calvin, who wore the sash Giajay Naturals Gift and Body Shop, won the pageant from a field of 20 females.

“What I took away from the pageant, I’d say a lot. I’m standing here talking to you and I don’t feel as nervous as I usually do. So, I’ve really developed as a person,” she told the Jamaica Observer shortly after she was crowned.

She described the feeling when her name was announced as the pageant’s winner.

“I went blank for a second when my name was announced. It was very surprising, but it was a good feeling. The journey in the pageant has been interesting and fun, and I really enjoyed it because of all the young women who were on this journey with me. They were just comforting when I needed that throughout the process,” she said.

Calvin is the cousin of 2019 Miss Jamaica World and Miss World title holder Toni-Ann Singh. She is from Bath in St Thomas and attended St Thomas Technical High before attaining an associate’s degree and master’s degree in health studies, with a minor in health service administration, from the University of Central Florida in Orlando.

She currently works as a registered behavioural technician with autistic children.

“During my reign, I want to get into my advocacy which is raising awareness for children with special needs and children with autism. So, I want to look into how I can implement that, so that we can get these services readily available in rural Jamaica. Getting people diagnosed, so that the parents know that the children are not being bad, but they really have an issue and learning how to address that issue and how to deal with their children,” said Calvin.

Rachel Silvera, who was sponsored by Millennium Paving Stones Ltd, was a crowd favourite from the outset of the competition. She was taken aback when she finished in second place.

“It was very unexpected, but it was a pleasant surprise, and I am so, so grateful. I could never have imagined this in my wildest dreams, and I am thankful to the Miss Universe Jamaica Organisation for priming us and prepping us for this moment. I am so ecstatic,” she said.

She shared how the competition helped to improve her confidence.

“The journey was rigorous. When I started out, I wasn’t as confident as I’d like to be, but over the period, I did gain that confidence and I displayed it tonight. Being with the girls was my standout moment throughout all of this. They’re a set of helpful girls and I bonded so well with all of them,” said Silvera.

A pharmacy student at the University of Technology, Jamaica, Silvera — who grew up on a farm in Windsor Castle in St Mary — was encouraged by family and friends to enter the pageant.

Miss Wi Pay Jamaica Shanique Singh, a medical student at The University of the West Indies, finished in third place.

“The experience was an amazing one from start to finish. All the girls are amazing and the ladies who came to speak to us at the sessions really contributed a lot and made it all worthwhile,” said Singh.

“I benefited a lot from the pageant. I was able to carry out my altruism project and I really love the fact that the focus is giving back to the community and enhancing lives through beauty,” said the former Ardenne High student who aspires to become an obstetrician or a gynaecologist.

Winners of the sectional prizes, sponsored by Harmony Health, were: Rachel Silvera – Most Photogenic; Essence of Style Award – a tie between Shanique Singh and Toshami Calvin; Best In Evening Wear – Toshami Calvin; Best In Swimwear – Rachel Silvera; Spirit of the Pageant – Toshami Calvin; Congeniality – Kasey Graham; and Altruism Award – Zasha Kae Dennis.

Calvin will move on to represent Jamaica at the Miss Universe pageant which is scheduled for early 2023.