On Saturday, March 29, Orvellisha Genas was crowned Miss UTech Ja from a field of 16 contestants.

Held inside the Alfred Sangster Auditorium on the Papine campus, the law student said the journey to the crown was an experience that has changed her life.

“I don’t normally open up a lot, but everyone helped me to feel at home and to be myself. It has been a life-changing experience for me,” Genas told the Jamaica Observer shortly after being crowned.

Though earning sectional prizes for Best Smile and Most Creative, Genas shared that she had no idea that she would have been the winner.

“I thought that all the girls were worthy contestants; it was a tough competition,” the former Holland and William Knibb Memorial High student said.

The second runner-up in the 2024 Miss Trelawny Festival Queen, Genas explained that: “I entered Miss UTech Ja because I plan to start a foundation, a support group, which I can use to achieve change.”

Safiya Romans, who won Best Talent and Most Confident, finished in second place, while 17-year-old former St Hugh’s High student Kimoya Samuels, who is from the Faculty of Business Administration and Management, was the third-place winner.

Samuels copped the sectional prizes for Most Congenial, Most Poised, Best Walk, and Best in Swimwear.

“We had our ups and downs during the pageant, but you know, through it all, it was really worth it. It was fun,” Samuels told the Observer.

She added: “I am on a journey for self-development and building my confidence, and I also wanted to unleash the queen within me.”

The coronation show kicked off with the finalists introducing themselves, followed by a swimwear segment, which saw the ladies wearing outfits courtesy of 876Beachwear.

After the creative and formal segments were out of the way, the finalists were each presented with certificates of participation.

Other sectional prize winners included Most Popular – Kaala Davis and Best Evening Wear – Daniesha Wilson.

Afterwards, the Top 5 was announced with Adrianna Edwards and Malika Muqtadir joining Samuels, Romans and Genas.

After the grueling interview segment the top 3 winners were announced.

— Kevin Jackson