TWENTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD law student Tahje Bennett (Miss Artwell Classic Prints) is the second finalist to automatically advance to the top 10 of the Miss Jamaica World (MJW) beauty pageant.

On Saturday she emerged as the winner in the Jamaica Moves Fitness Fast Track challenge, which took place at Emancipation Park in New Kingston.

“It’s an amazing feeling, actually! I am tremendously proud of myself because I haven’t been very active for a little while and being able to endure and push through to the top was amazing,” Bennett told the Jamaica Observer.

Lineisha Davis (Miss RETV), Mikhaila Nathan (Miss Jamaica Observer) and Shanique Singh (Miss Howard Johnson Realty) finished second, third and fourth, respectively.

“Preparation for me is a process that doesn’t end. Now, more than ever, there is a lot more work needed to be done, focusing on my weak areas and turning them into strengths,” expressed Bennett.

Bennett shared her reasons for entering the pageant.

“As a woman who is passionate about empowering women who have been victims of gender-based violence, which unfortunately is still a current issue in Jamaica’s society today, I have no doubts that through the Miss Jamaica World platform I would be able to reach out even to more people to impact and empower, giving back a voice that was stolen,” she shared.

Bennett, who grew up in Spanish Town but resides in Portmore, attended Jose Marti Technical High before moving on to The University of the West Indies to pursue her law degree.

The Jamaica Moves Fitness Challenge was designed specifically to test the athletic abilities of all thirteen contestants in the Miss Jamaica World pageant. Ministry of Health and Wellness national physcial activity specialist Travane Morrison guided the contestants in their warm-up session ahead of a number of challenge activities led by fitness expert Dwayne Extol.

The Jamaica Moves Fitness Fast Track challenge is the second of the Fast Track events. The Beach Beauty challenge, which took place two weeks ago, was won by Singh.

The Serengeti Theatre Talent event is scheduled for Friday, November 25 at the Serengeti Theatre, Hope Zoo. The Sway Top Model Event is on Sunday, November 27, 2022.

The finalists have already submitted their Beauty with a Purpose Projects for evaluation and will have an opportunity to showcase them publicly when the Head to Head Challenge is aired on TVJ‘s Smile Jamaica It’s Morning Time from November 28 to December 2.

Miss Jamaica World 2022 will be crowned at the Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston on December 4.