TWENTY-NINE-YEAR-OLD Kasheem Green from Papine in St Andrew and 23-year-old Rasheda Green (no relation) from Botany Bay in St Thomas were on Sunday, May 31, announced as the titleholders of Mr and Miss Supranational Jamaica 2026.

Their coronation took place at Talk of the Town, Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston in a boutique-style pageant.

Four ladies competed for the Miss Supranational Jamaica title. The other competitors were Melissa Oliver, Antonni James and Deborah Gordon (Best in Swimwear).

Gordon, a former Miss Universe Jamaica runner-up, was the first runner-up.

Kasheem won from a field of six. The other finalists were Jordain Chambers, Leopold Smith, Laurence Pinnock, Andrew Brown, and Sean-Pierre Coke.

Pinnock, the principal at an early education institution, took second place.

The coronation saw the participants appearing in swimwear, evening wear, and formal outfits before the top 2 faced the judges for the interview segment.

“[A] lot is going through my mind right now… because this title aligns with my brand as a person. I do hold my head high with this crown, and I am going to put my best foot forward and represent Jamaica,” an emotional Rasheda Green told the Jamaica Observer shortly after the pageant ended.

She also earned the Best in Evening Wear and Best in Interview titles and shared the biggest lesson she learnt along her pageant journey.

“The lesson learnt is to not let whatever is set in front of you be an obstacle. Use it as a stepping stone to reach where you want to be. I entered Miss Universe Jamaica East and Miss Global Jamaica [placing in the top 3 in both] and now I am here as Miss Supranational. It’s not where you’re coming from, it’s where you’re going,” Rasheda, who works as a logistics coordinator at Acado Limited (formerly known as Massy Distribution), said.

Kasheem also copped the Best in Swimwear, Best in Formal Wear, and Best in Interview prizes.

“The feeling is unexplainable and I feel proud, empowered, confident, and unstoppable. I am confident that when I reach the world stage I am going to do even greater things,” he told the Jamaica Observer. “I was extremely prepared and nothing beats preparation… I had the support of friends, family members, and even my girlfriend.”

Green, who studied at the University of Technology, Jamaica, is an athlete with UTech MVP.

Both Rasheda and Kasheem will represent Jamaica at the Mr and Miss Supranational pageants which will take place in Poland in July.

— Kevin Jackson