In 2018, Ayanna Powell entered the Miss Universe Jamaica Central pageant but she didn’t secure a placement.

Now, five years later and married with two children (both are age two), Powell-Myles has secured the title.

On Sunday night inside a packed Cecil Charlton Hall in Mandeville, she was crowned Miss Universe Jamaica Central 2023.

She was sponsored by JALE Designs.

Powell-Myles benefited from the new rules implemented by the international Miss Universe Organisation which has now allowed married women with children to compete.

“I entered this pageant because I needed a platform to bring awareness to my fellow Jamaicans about kidney disease, and this competition brought about the perfect opportunity to do so,” Powell-Myles shared in an interview with the Jamaica Observer on Sunday night.

She continued: “Funny enough, I entered this competition in 2018 where I made it as a finalist in the national pageant. I had hopes of entering again but I had my daughter right after and the rules at the time did not allow me to enter again. Fast-forward to five years later the rules had changed and I saw it as the perfect opportunity to enter to bring awareness to my cause.”

Finishing in second place was Shadia Johnson (Miss Fusion Fitness), while Suzan Dowdie (Miss Chef Rose Jamaican Cuisine) was named second runner-up.

The top three will now advance to the national Miss Universe Jamaica pageant, which will see its grand coronation in August.

Aside from capturing the title, Powell-Myles won the sectional prizes for Best in Evening Gown and Most Aware. Johnson won Best in Swimwear while Dowdie was named Most Photogenic (social media vote).

“I am originally from Newfield, Newport, in Manchester. I attended Bellefield High School, then went on to complete the sixth form program at Holmwood Technical high. I then matriculated into the nursing program at the Northern Caribbean University where I completed my Bachelor of Science in Nursing,” she disclosed.

Powell-Myles, who said she was surprised that she won, shared that she would like to achieve during her reign.

“During my reign I want to use this platform to bring awareness to kidney disease. As a nephrology nurse I interact with patients on a daily basis with this condition, and I’ve seen the negative impact it has on them. I hope to reach as many Jamaicans as possible regarding this condition because unfortunately many of us are not even aware that it even exists.”

Trilissa Walker, pageant manager for the Miss Universe Jamaica Central franchise, is pleased with the night’s events.

“With a last-minute venue change and all the challenges that came with that, we are truly grateful to have had a successful event. The ladies exceeded my expectations with their overall presentation. Patrons came out in their numbers with vuvuzelas, and we even saw a couple Dutch pots,” she said.

She added, “Ayanna is driven and articulate and truly has a cause that she is passionate about. We are also pleased to be making history, as she is the first married woman and mother to ever be crowned in the history of the Miss Universe Jamaica pageant. It proves that the rule change has merit.”