Although it has been a challenge to attract sponsors, the coronation of Miss Universe Jamaica Central, one of the regional pageants in the Miss Universe Jamaica national pageant, is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 26 at the Golf View hotel in Mandeville.

Twelve young ladies representing the parishes of St Elizabeth, Manchester and Clarendon, are competing for the title.

According to pageant manager, Trilisa Walker, the finalists are quite diverse.

“There’s diversity in terms of just the way they look and what they do for a living. Their ages range between 19 and 35 years of age, two are mothers, some are chemists, teachers, engineers and university students,” Walker told Observer Online, during a break from rehearsal on Sunday at the Golf View hotel.

“All the ladies are involved in their community. Altruism is a huge part of this competition, you must have a passion. There must be something that you want to do to give back to your community and Jamaica on a wide scope. We ensure that all the ladies who participate, they understand this,” said Walker, who added that the finalists are certified by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) once the requisite training is completed. “For the contestants from central Jamaica, there’s something that we do that is very special. They go through the tourism booster course. TPDCo has a course that anybody going into the tourism industry must complete. At the end of the pageant, each of them will be certified to work in the tourism industry.”

Since the finalists were chosen in March, the ladies have been going through rigorous training weekly in person and online.

Keneisha Mitchell of Poised to Perfection Pageantry, who has worked with several beauty pageant aspirants and beauty queens over the years, has been charged to assist the ladies with grooming, walk and poise, etiquette, wardrobe and the overall full aspect of pageantry and personal development.

Said Walker: “Training started in the middle of March and the ladies have made public appearances across central Jamaica. They have been able to interact and learn how to navigate different spaces.”

Walker continued, “We are very grateful for the sponsors that we have, although it has been a bit of a challenge for some ladies, while for some, it has been easy. We fight to put pageantry into a space where it’s not just oh its some pretty girls, we really go deep. Pageantry really gives young women opportunities.”

Golf View hotel in the heart of Mandeville has come on board providing the space for weekly rehearsals and training. The hotel’s auditorium is the location for the grand coronation on Saturday April 26.

“I’m extremely grateful to Golf View hotel, They sponsor the space, not just for coronation but also for our training. They sponsor the entire set-up and decor and they have been very welcoming, and we are really grateful for that,” Walker said.

As for the grand coronation, Walker says patrons are in for a treat.

“It’s going to be spectacular. We start with a cocktail reception at 6 PM and then we move into the auditorium at 7 PM for the coronation show,” she said.

The 12 finalists in the Miss Universe Jamaica Central beauty pageant are:

Akedia Morgan – SAII MEDIA
Leanna Spencer – GOLFVIEW HOTEL
Brianna Hanson – TOPTEC Home Depot
Konesha Banton – Flavoured Faces
Tasharie McLean – A One Equipment Rental
Daveia Mullings – Allied Real Estate
Sylvenia Greensword – Jamaica Aggregates
Nichoya Nation – Ultimate Dining
Divya Dias – Dee’s Marine Supplies
Monique Hart – Fusion Fitness
Danielle Brown – GEM Mortgage LLC
Tamra Williams – Cutis Skincare