ST JAMES, Jamaica — A teacher and a student were crowned Mister and Miss Tourism Jamaica, respectively during the glitzy grand finale at the Half Moon Conference Centre recently.

Twenty-four-year-old Darren Bennett, a science teacher at the Little London High School in Westmoreland; and 20-year-old university student Jolon Dewar were both crowned during the third edition of the NYRC Tourism Jamaica Mister and Miss Tourism.

In addition to the enviable titles they each received $150,000 scholarships towards future studies; cash prizes of $100,000 each, trophies, gift baskets, certificates and other prizes.

Omar Lewis and Alyiah Harwood were the runners-up. They also received certificates, gift baskets and other prizes.

Bennett and Dewar pledged to become Jamaica’s newest tourism ambassadors.

Dewar, a university student in South Korea,  says she wants to further enhance the local tourism sector in whatever ways she can.

“I’m interested in tourism because I’m a tourist in another country too so I want to improve our tourism industry. I’m looking forward to basically expanding my knowledge,” the tertiary student said.

Bennett is prepared to put his best foot forward to promote the country.

“I am very happy of the outcome of the pageant. I look forward to…doing my best to represent Jamaica in tourism,” Bennett said.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett welcomed the efforts of the promoters of the pageant and congratulated the two winners.