PORT ANTONIO, Portland — On Saturday night, at the inaugural staging of the Miss Universe Jamaica Portland, 25-year-old Celine Hall walked away queen.

“I am feeling extremely grateful and incredibly humbled, and I thank everyone for supporting me… [This] means the world to me. Thank you all so much,” shared Hall after the coronation at Tim Bamboo Hotel.

She will represent the parish along with first runner-up Alyssa Francis in the Miss Jamaica Universe national competition later this year.

Hall was also adjudged the Most Aware contestant, while Francis topped two sectional prizes — Multimedia Award and Most Poised.

The regional titleholder told the Jamaica Observer that, “This is a great journey for me and it has done me good. I have never been involved in anything like this before and I wasn’t eager to go into spaces like this out of fear, but now I am standing before you as a person who shows determination, hard work, and believing in yourself you can achieve your dreams.”

Shanique Rodgers, parish director for Miss Universe Jamaica Portland, was pleased with the pageant.

“The journey has been an uphill battle, but we fought and we prepared the ladies, and we present the best one tonight, and I’m happy about the results. It was challenging organising and planning, but I have a great team behind me, and I must say thanks to Miss Universe Jamaica Portland team who has stood their ground behind me and made this a very successful night tonight,” she said.

Rodgers was a finalist in Miss Universe Jamaica last year and she thinks her involvement and in other pageants assisted with the night’s success.

Added Hall: “We’re to look forward to Miss Universe Jamaica crowning the very first queen from Portland!”

HALL…I thank everyone for supporting me… [This] means the world to me (Photo: Everard Owen)