The recent sashing of the entrants in the 2026 Miss Universe Jamaica Kingston & St Andrew pageant featured a large turnout of patrons with exciting displays.

“A woman who enters a pageant of this kind becomes more evolved and better prepared, not just for the stage, but also for the world of work and life. I encourage sponsors to see it from this perspective and offer their support,” parish director for the competition Jermane Blair told the Jamaica Observer.

This year’s edition will boast 21 finalists. They appeared in swimwear and cocktail wear before being sashed by their respective sponsors.

He said, while he is pleased with the support that the pageant has received from sponsors for this year’s staging, he is encouraging corporate Jamaica and others to look at the value of pageants and provide even more support.

“First of all, I want to say thanks to our sponsors this year. Over the years I have been encouraging sponsors to see the altruistic value in pageantry and [that it is] a huge platform that continues to empower our women and to ensure they are better prepared for greater things,” Blair said at Janga’s Soundbar and Grill in New Kingston.

This year’s finalists are between the ages of 18 and 29 years old. Among them is one high school student, university students, recent university graduates, and business professionals.

“We’ve always had a diversified group, women from different professions, age groups, and backgrounds. It speaks to inclusivity and also about the process of growth; it sees no profession but the woman,” Blair shared.

The coronation of Miss Universe Jamaica Kingston & St Andrew is scheduled to take place on June 6 at Douglas Orane Auditorium at Wolmer’s Boys’ School.

House of Nazanna is the official hair and make-up sponsor for the pageant.

The finalists are Shanika Scott (Island Gully Falls Limited), Akanke Scott (VM Group), Rogneilia Cameron (Pro Audiovisual Systems Rental Limited), Abigail Barnes (Bailey’s Food and Beverage), Ottavia Bradshaw (Jarrett Autoparts), Shanya Francis (Caribbean Glass Company Limited), Renisha Simpson (190 View Productions Limited), Daniela Ferguson (American Jewellery Co), Calethia Campbell (Orion Loss Adjusters), Rachel Newman (Carefree), Latisha Nembhard (Sinolink Business Solutions Limited), Britney Turner (Incognito Vacation Stay), Leighann Dacres Jones (Mount Sinai Dental and Implant Centre), Tiyana Mowatt (Saxby), Ruesheen Ricketts (Advance Integrated System), Shaniece Douglas (Janga’s Soundbar and Grill), Hannah Collings-Myers (Digita Properties Limited), Claire Schwapp (STL Solar), Daenya Anerson (Covenant Insurance Brokers Limited), Shaniel Foreman (Auto Boyz), and Tenneil Sewell (Legend Beer).

— Kevin Jackson