MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Akedia Morgan, a 21-year-old part- time University of the Commonwealth Caribbean student, who is pursuing a bachelor of science in human resource management, was on Sunday night crowned Miss Universe Jamaica Central at the Golf View Hotel in Mandeville.

The Clarendon native beat 11 other competitors for the title and an automatic spot in the national Miss Universe Jamaica beauty pageant.

Leanna Spencer and Tasharrie McLean were second and third respectively, while the Top 5 was completed by Daveia Mullings and Brianna Hanson.

Morgan told Observer Online earlier this week that it was her brother who suggested that she enter the pageant.

“My brother suggested that I should enter the competition and after some time I started to understand more about Miss Universe Jamaica, and realised that it’s more than a crown, but an opportunity to be a voice for change in Jamaica, to bring attention to the issues that are piercing society, to be a representative of hope and inspiration to the youth of Jamaica that you can make a mark and do whatever you put your mind to,” said Morgan.

She also shared that it was after she answered the question posed by the judges to the top three finalists, that she realised that the crown would be hers.

“After I answered the question, what advice you would give your past self, the crowd went silent, and I saw how attentive the judges were, smiling at my response. I had a calming assurance that swept over me confirming that I was the winner in that moment, I literally started crying backstage afterwards,” Morgan shared.

Morgan, who is a call centre agent at Sutherland Global Services in Manchester, spoke about her journey in the pageant.

“My journey in the competition was definitely unique, a once in a lifetime spectacle that I am honored to have under my belt. I had the opportunity to meet so many amazing people and see so many great places in Jamaica. I especially enjoyed the friendships with the ladies in the contest, they are my sisterhood. I literally couldn’t have done it without them, I’ve never met a more honest, kind, supportive and brilliantly multifaceted group of women. I remember days when I had to walk to May Pen at late hours because transit was difficult to find at those hours to make it to Mandeville for training, I knew I was committed and determined to finish this competition, as no matter what the obstacle that came my way I overcame them gracefully,” she said.

“I remember crucial moments throughout it all, like my journey to CVM-TV on media day, I actually had to find my way there as I woke up late and it was an absolute thrill communicating back and forth with the team as I travelled from Clarendon to Kingston to try and catch our time slot, luckily by the grace of God I made it and these experiences assured me that it was definitely His will that carried me to where I am now.”

As Miss Universe Jamaica Central, she plans to use her title to make a difference in the lives of young people in central Jamaica.

“I plan on using the title as a device to change and significantly impact the lives of young people in central Jamaica. I intend to implement my altruism project, Boys to Men, which focuses on amplifying mental wellness for boys in underserved communities. I aim my passions on the primary school level around my community, hoping to shed a brighter light on mental wellness and challenge the narrative that men should not be too expressive about their emotions, this project was inspired by my late father who faced a lot of tribulations in his life since birth and I did not have the opportunity to show him the support and assistance he needed and so I want to make a change for the betterment of society through my initiative, hoping that I can at least touch someone’s heart and bring attention to the issues faced by men,” Morgan disclosed.

Trilissa Walker, who is the pageant manager for Miss Universe Jamaica Central, said Morgan’s overall attitude stood out from early in the pageant.