Seventeen-year-old Old Harbour High student Lenesha Francis, who wore the sash Lion’s Villa and Totally Delicious, was on Saturday night crowned the first-ever Miss Jamaica World Southern Region 2026.

Nine contestants competed for the title at the grand coronation which took place at the Rooftop Chillinz Bar and Lounge in Old Harbour on Saturday night.

Miss Delapenha’s Funeral Services Limited, Shonnoya Houston, finished in second place while Miss Karl Grant’s Auto Sales and Repairs, Ashanti Douglas, took third place.

The top three will now advance to the national Miss Jamaica World pageant.

Sectional prize winners at Saturday night’s coronation were: Most Poise — Lenesha Francis; Best Personality — Fiona Bartlett, Rooftop Chillinz; Most Aware — Shonnoya Houston; Most Congenial — Fiona Bartlett; and People’s Choice— Khassidy Weir, StarFlex Bar and Fast Food Restaurant.

Bartlett won the fast-track fitness challenge, while Houston won the top talent. Francis was named winner in the top model fast track, while Shonnoya Houston won the beauty with a purpose title.

The other contestants were Shanise Adolphus — Miss RAW Enterprise LLC; Dejanay May — Miss Dr Michael Samms; DeAnna Fraser — Miss Graceful Smiles Dental Ja; and Dejahnae Brown — Miss CADZ Printz and More.

Alton Reid, organiser of the Miss Jamaica World Southern Region pageant, is pleased with the night’s turn of events.

“I really want to thank Rooftop Chillinz Bar and Lounge for being the official venue sponsor for this year’s event. It was an exciting event and the patrons enjoyed themselves,” Reid told Observer Online.

In a post-pageant interview, Francis spoke about her journey in the competition.

“My journey has been one that I am forever grateful for. Entering the competition at seventeen, I’ll be honest, I felt a bit inferior because everyone else was older than me. But I was immediately embraced by amazing sisters who never made me feel less than. They made me feel like I truly belonged. I also had incredible mentors like Natalia Baugh and T’Dane Gordon who guided me every step of the way,” she shared.

“Through the constant training, the long days, even getting my makeup done every morning, I found joy in it all because I love pouring into myself. This journey pushed me to show up even on days I didn’t feel like it. And that discipline helped me grow. It showed me that this is exactly what I’m meant to do. It wasn’t just a competition. It was growth, sisterhood, and purpose,” Francis continued.

Explaining why she decided to enter the pageant, Francis said: “I’ve loved pageantry since I was seven years old. I was always the little girl running to the TV to watch the queens. I made a promise to myself back then that one day I would represent Jamaica on an international stage. I realised I was finally at the age to take that first step and make that dream a reality. But as I grew, I also realised that pageantry is so much more than a crown. It’s a platform. It’s a voice. Its purpose. And for me, that purpose is Destiny in Motion, using my platform to give back to my community and inspire others.”

The Grade 13 student, who also resides in Old Harbour, said: “My long-term goal is to represent Jamaica on an international stage. I want to grow my advocacy, Destiny in Motion, from Old Harbour to communities across Jamaica, providing free dance education for underserved youth and helping them believe in themselves. I also see myself using my voice through motivational speaking to give back to young girls who have the same dreams that I did.”

“Beyond that, I love modelling and walking, and I hope to one day become a walk coach for women in pageantry. And academically, my goal is to obtain a law degree and become a criminal lawyer so that I can continue to serve and protect my people,” Francis added.