Reigning Mini Miss St Elizabeth Heritage Queen Alexia Jappa is leading the charge to bring relief and smiles to young victims of Hurricane Melissa, which recently ravaged sections of her home parish.

At just 12 years old, Alexia has launched a heartfelt campaign to collect clothing, shoes, and toys for children whose lives were upended by the storm. Though her own family’s home sustained some damage, Alexia says she feels blessed that their losses were not as severe as others.

“While we started repairing our home, my thoughts were on the hundreds and thousands of people who were badly affected,” she shared. “My heart went out especially to the children, and I wanted to find a way to help.”

Her local outreach has since gained the backing of Event’s CEO Damion Duckett, who is also spearheading an initiative to provide aid to children in severely affected parishes. Together, their unified effort aims to raise awareness and mobilise greater support for families rebuilding after the hurricane’s impact.

A proud representative of the ‘Breadbasket Parish’, Alexia balances her community service with her studies as a first-form student at Bishop Gibson High School for Girls. The former Morningside Primary and Infant School standout is also the founder of the Voices of Grace Foundation, a youth-led organisation that supports children’s homes in St Elizabeth, and the young entrepreneur behind Lexi’s Accessories, a brand inspired by her creativity and passion for design.

Guided by her Christian faith, Alexia says giving back brings her joy.

“My heart shines when I give back, spread love, joy, and hope to those who need it most,” she said with a smile.

As she prepares to represent her parish at the Mini Miss Jamaica Heritage Queen Competition on December 28 in Ocho Rios, Alexia has pledged to use her platform to highlight the resilience and recovery of St Elizabeth.

“My people are in desperate need of rebuilding,” she noted. “But I believe God is already at the forefront, and soon our Breadbasket Parish will be replenished and restored.”

With her compassion, courage, and faith, the aspiring pediatrician stands as a shining example of youth leadership and service, a reminder that even the smallest voices can make the biggest difference.

The Mini Miss Jamaica Heritage Queen Competition is being staged for the first time this year. The event stemmed from the Mini Miss St Ann Heritage Queen Competition which has been in existence for 20 years.