Twenty-nine girls, among them university students, attorneys-at-law, and entrepreneurs will vie for the recently unveiled Miss Universe Jamaica East crown and an automatic spot in the national pageant.

The Ricardo Patraca-designed bejewelled tiara was the centrepiece of Tuesday night’s event for stakeholders and sponsors at the ATL Automotive Showroom.

Organisers of the Miss Universe Jamaica East pageant say it’s all systems go for the coronation this Saturday at Wolmer’s Boys’ Auditorium in Kingston.

“The girls are very prepared and ready to take the stage with all the work that they have put in — the training, the development, and the exposure. I feel confident that they will display themselves well,” Jermane Blair, regional manager for Miss Universe Jamaica East told the Jamaica Observer on Tuesday night after finalists and their sponsors were feted.

Blair gave an insight into what patrons can expect production-wise at the finals.

“We have an amazing production lined up for everyone. A classical/opera singer will be performing, so too will the St Hugh’s Choir. We are going to be seeing 29 confident ladies on stage competing for the crown under the theme Empowered to Empower,” said Blair.

Damien Kerr, general manager for ATL Automotive, who hosted the mingle, said his company has been supportive of the pageant for years.

“This pageant is about empowering women,” said Kerr, adding that 73 per cent of the cars sold by ATL are bought by females. “We’ve always supported the pageant. Analeice Dixon, who is an employee here, indicated to us that she would be entering the pageant and that she’d love to have sponsorship. Without skipping a beat, we agreed, and we are proud of her… We are really proud to be a part of the Miss Universe Jamaica East, the pageant itself aligns with what we are doing at ATL.”