Last Friday night, inside the Alfred Sangster Auditorium at the University of Technology, 24-year-old Nastasia Barrette, a third year student in the Faculty of Engineering and Computing, who is studying for a degree in Information Technology, was crowned Miss Utech Jamaica 2026.

It was a journey that she is grateful for, assisted by family members who took her through rehearsals and preparation leading up to the coronation, where she won from a field of 11 other students.

“The support of my family was immaculate. They helped me to practice and prepare late at night. My mother isn’t here tonight, because she had a meeting that finished late and she wasn’t able to drive all the way from St Ann to come here. But my other family members are here, and their support motivated me throughout the night,” Barrette, a resident of Browns Town in St Ann and a former student of the St Hilda’s Diocesan High School for Girls told Observer Online shortly after her crowning.

Barrette is ecstatic about her win.

“I am feeling ecstatic, it was quite a journey, but here I am, the winner. I may have doubted myself several times throughout the competition, but I do know that the lovely ladies that were around me, they encouraged me, they encouraged each other,” said Barrette.

“I entered to face my fears, and I believe so much that students deserve a voice and I wanted to be that voice and I am that voice.”

She added, “This was a first-time experience, and it was lovely. I immediately connected with a lot of the girls, and they were very nice.  We developed a sisterhood bond.”

The coronation spectacle got underway close to 8:30 pm on Friday night and ended close to midnight.

The finalists did an opening dance sequence and then they introduced themselves to the fairly sized crowd in attendance.

Barrette, who was named the best talent winner in a fast-track competition, performed her winning talent piece before the girls appeared in swimwear sponsored by 876 Beachwear.

The creative piece segment was followed by the evening gown segment.

Sectional prizes were then awarded.  Barrette walked away with seven sectional prizes, namely Best Smile, Most Congenial, Most Confident, Most Poised, Best in Swimwear and Best in Evening Wear.

Other sectional prize winners were Kayla Lyons — Most Popular on social media; Most Creative Wear and Best Walk — Cresia Simpson; Most Improved — Rogneilia Cameron; and Most Aware — Ottavia Bradshaw.

Cameron, Simpson, Barrette, Bradshaw and Aziza Notice made it into the top five.

After the gruelling interview segment, the winners were announced.

Barrette took first place, while Notice, a third-year student in the Faculty of Engineering and Computing, finished in second place. Cresia Simpson from the Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies took third place.