Akaycia Williamson, a first-year biochemistry student at The University of the West Indies who aspires to become a medical doctor, was chosen as 2026 Miss Jamaica World Eastern Region.

Williamson who wore the sash Miss 876 Nurses, won from a field of 13 competitors.

Her runners-up were Daniella Bullock (second place), while Jessie Freeman finished in third place.

All three ladies secured automatic places in the 2026 staging of the national Miss Jamaica World pageant, which selects a representative to the international Miss World.

Jamaica has secured four Miss World titles to date and several Top 10 and Top 20 placements since the country began sending delegates to the pageant in the 1950s.

In an interview with the Jamaica Observer shortly after the coronation, the 21-year-old explained why she decided to enter the pageant.

“PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome) is deeply personal to me, so I wanted to use this platform to raise awareness about this issue. As someone who aspires to become a medical doctor, I believe I can use this to greatly impact the health-care system,” she said

Williamson also won two sectional awards — Best Interview and the Public Speaking Challenge.

“I feel overwhelmed with emotions. I’m happy, I’m sad, I really don’t know how to feel actually,” she shared. “This took a lot of preparation, hard work, and continuous training every weekend. I go home and practice while juggling school in the week. It was a lot that I put into this.”

Originally from St Ann, Williamson relocated to Kingston for studies.

Akaycia Williamson, Miss Jamaica World Eastern Region 2026, is flanked by Daniella Bullock (left), first runner-up; and Jessie Freeman, second runner-up.

She shared her take-away from the pageant.

“I got to step out of my comfort zone and do things that I never imagined myself doing,” she said.

The Miss Jamaica World Eastern Region pageant took place at the Louise Bennett Garden Theatre on Hope Road in Kingston. The event got underway a few minutes after its advertised 8:00 pm start and ran for exactly two hours. The pageant opened with a routine featuring all 13 contestants, who later returned to introduce themselves to the audience.

Hosted by regional manager and former Miss Jamaica Festival Queen titleholder Brithney Clarke,

Fast-track Talent winner Kerry-Ann Pottinger performed a creditable version of Etta James’ At Last right before the evening gown presentation.

The ladies were then serenaded by media practitioner and university student Leopold Smith.

The sectional awards were then announced, with Alana Blake (Miss Great House Estate) chosen as Most Photogenic; Rasheeda Murphy (Miss Auto Channel Limited) was voted Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants, while Jessie Freeman (Miss Caribbean Dreams) secured the People’s Choice Award.

Celine Walters (Miss Inter Alia Limited) won the Pride Regional Challenge and Daniella Bullock (Miss Ruellia Aesthetics) took Best in Evening Gown.

After the final interview segment with the Top 5, the final walk of Miss Jamaica World Eastern Region 2025 titleholder Kalea Roman, along with Ebi Nelson’s cover of Adele’s Skyfall, the winners were announced.