Miss Universe Jamaica St Thomas Finalists Visit JIS Morant Bay Before July 4 Coronation

Finalists in the first-ever Miss Universe Jamaica St Thomas pageant recently stopped by the Jamaica Information Service Morant Bay Regional Office as preparations intensified ahead of the grand coronation on Saturday, July 4.

The visit allowed the contestants to meet JIS Morant Bay staff and reflect on how the competition is helping them grow personally and step forward as leaders within the parish.

Nyoka Linton, Manager at the regional office, said the agency was glad to back programmes that empower residents and put St Thomas people on display. "With St. Thomas being one of three parishes this Regional office serves, we are pleased to align our brand with platforms that empower, mobilise and highlight parishioners. This courtesy call allows us to interact with the Miss Universe Jamaica St. Thomas contestants, hear their stories, and discuss the significance of them being trailblazers in the history of the competition," she said.

Erica Beckford, Parish Director for the competition, said the session offered an important opening for introducing the contestants to national media. "This opportunity gave the contestants their first major platform to share their voices and stories. It showed them that their journey was bigger than the stage and that their advocacy, purpose and impact were now part of a national conversation," she said. "For each lady, it was a confidence boost and a reminder that being seen, heard and respected are the first steps to becoming agents of change," Ms. Beckford added.

The contestants also spoke about their excitement at joining the competition and said Saturday's finale would bring a lively close to weeks of rigorous preparation.

The coronation is scheduled for Morant Bay High School, beginning at 8:00 p.m. The St Thomas winner will later face parish champions from across the island in the Miss Universe Jamaica competition.

During the visit, the JIS Morant Bay team took headshots of each contestant. The photographs will be printed and given to each participant as keepsakes.

Title sponsor St Thomas Renaissance Foundation was also represented at the meeting. Jan Harrison-Cousins, speaking for the Foundation, said it hoped its involvement would encourage others to invest in initiatives that highlight talent and potential in the parish. "Anything that's a first, the Foundation believes that they should be a part of it because we believe in the rebirth of St. Thomas. We believe that we should be here to support all of these beautiful ladies," Mrs. Harrison-Cousins said.