TWENTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD Nickanya Brown, a management studies student who aspires to pursue social entrepreneurship after completing her university studies, was crowned Miss UWI Faculty of Social Sciences on Saturday March 8.

The coronation, which saw seven ladies competing for the title, was held inside a jam-packed dining room at Chancellor Hall.

Soairse Salmon, 22 years old, who is from Manchester and studies international relations with a minor in law and criminology, finished in second place, while 19-year-old Shae Sinclair who won a slew of sectional prizes including Best Performance, Most Congenial and People’s Choice Vote, was named second runner-up.

The ladies first appeared in swimwear before launching into their talent pieces. After the evening gown segment, the finalists faced the gruelling question-and-answer segment.

Brown’s crowning was met with excitement. She was surprised at her win.

“This has just been very surreal… I am grateful to have been a part of this experience,” the former St Jago High student told the
Jamaica Observer.

Salmon described her journey in the pageant as an awesome experience.

“I intend to grow from here going forward. My biggest challenge was keeping that smile on stage because I am a serious person,” she stated.

For Sinclair, the need to develop her confidence drove her to participate in the pageant.

“A lot of sacrifices went into doing this… because I had to find the time for training. I pushed, I practised, and I even walked around the campus in 6-inch heels just to prepare,” the political science student shared.

Beauty with a Purpose Award went to Christina Bromfield; Soairse Salmon, most poised; Nickanya Brown, most aware; most involved in the community, and most aware; Shae Sinclair, most congenial, people’s choice public vote and best performance.