KINGSTON, Jamaica—Jeanae Robinson, the second runner-up in this year’s Miss Kingston and St Andrew Festival Queen Competition, says she used the platform throughout the pageant to champion the empowerment of young women and girls in Jamaica.

Robinson also claimed the Best Talent award on the night of the coronation show which was held on Sunday.

The 25-year-old said the experience transformed her personally while strengthening her commitment to advocating for women and girls.

“Looking back, this competition was never just about a crown, it was about becoming. It stretched me in ways I didn’t expect, challenged me to grow, and introduced me to women who inspired me every single day,” she said.

While pleased with her placing, Robinson said the biggest victory was her personal growth.

“Finishing as second runner-up is something I’m incredibly proud of because it represents months of discipline, vulnerability, and showing up wholeheartedly. Sometimes it’s measured by the woman you become in the process. I leave this experience more confident, more purposeful, and more committed to serving my community than when I entered,” she said.

Throughout the competition, Robinson consistently championed women and girls, saying the message was inspired by her own experiences.

“Because I’ve seen firsthand what happens when young women are given permission to believe in themselves. Too often we’re told to shrink, to wait our turn, or to fit into boxes that were never designed for us. I wanted every girl to know that her voice has value before anyone else validates it,” she said.

She added that empowering women ultimately benefits the country.

“Empowering women isn’t about competing with men; it’s about creating a society where everyone’s potential has room to thrive. When women succeed, families, communities, and ultimately Jamaica benefit.”

Drawing from her own career in sports media, Robinson admitted there were times she questioned whether she belonged.

“There were moments where I questioned if I was enough, whether I belonged in sports media, whether I could lead, whether people would take me seriously because of my age. Every opportunity I embraced came because I chose courage over comfort,” she said.

She hopes sharing those experiences through her platform, The Sports Girlie, will encourage other young women to pursue their ambitions.

Looking ahead, Robinson said her work is only the beginning. She plans to expand her school tour across Jamaica through The Sports Girlie,
delivering workshops on personal branding, financial literacy, confidence, leadership, mental health and content creation.

“My goal is to equip young women not just with inspiration but with practical tools they can use to create opportunities for themselves. Titles may have seasons, but purpose doesn’t. I’ll continue doing the work regardless of what I wear on my head,” she argued.

Reflecting on the legacy she hopes to leave from her Miss Kingston and St Andrew Festival Queen journey, Robinson said she wants to be remembered for the impact she made rather than her placing.

“I hope they remember that I stood for something bigger than myself…If years from now a young woman tells me, ‘I believed in myself because I saw you believe in yourself,’ then that will always mean more than any placement ever could.”