The Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Competition is a staple of the annual Independence Festival celebrations, and seeks to find the 13 most culturally aware, intelligent and poised young women from across the island each year, giving them a chance to be crowned as a national cultural ambassador.
The vivacious and charming Khamara Wright is the only Miss Jamaica Festival Queen to serve two terms in the almost six decade history of the competition. Wright who was selected for the national ambassador role for 2019 ended up serving an additional year in the post due to the pandemic cancelling the 2020 cycle of the competition. Now a truly seasoned Festival Queen, Wright sat with Loop before handing over her crown to the new queen at the Emancipation day Grand Coronation on August 1.
Before tuning in to this Sunday’s show at 3:30 p.m. on TVJ and on the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s (JCDC) social media pages, continue reading for five questions with Miss Jamaica Festival Queen 2019-2020.
1. As a national cultural ambassador with two years of experience, what is one thing that you would change about how our culture is taught and passed down to the upcoming generation?
Our intricate culture is without doubt the fabric of our nation and its preservation is critical. In order to encourage generational knowledge and protect brand Jamaica, I believe it begins with our children and encouraging reading. It is important that our local authors are furthering the mandate of teaching and sustaining the culture through Anansi stories, fun Jamaican activities and Jamaican terms. With this in mind, I am excited to announce that I have written my very first book: Patois Project Wid Nina. This children's book highlights the history behind Patois (patwah) as well as the perception and acceptance of the dialect in an interactive format. I was inspired to write this children's book after my on stage question about Patois (patwah) being taught in schools. I opted to make my response a reality and pen a fun and interactive story for our children to enjoy. It is suitable for children ages 4 to 12 years. The e-book will be available on Amazon on August 1, 2021 and the print or paperback version available on August 30, 2021. It's the perfect book for your little one to learn more about Jamaica and brand Jamaica. Learn more by following @ninapatoisproject and me at @african.pride_ on Instagram.
2. As the outgoing Festival Queen, what advice would you give to the newly crowned Queen to help her ensure that lives are impacted during her tenure?
To my successor, I want to encourage you to do your best! The journey ahead is filled with fun times, hard work, nuturing time management skills, gaining wonderful networking opportunities and fostering personal development. Grasp and give as much as you can. Lay out what you would like to achieve in your tenure, the grandest to the smallest and place a plan on how you will achieve each. No matter what the situation, remember that you are in this role because you have the ability and that your potential is unlimited. Jamaica and I are already proud of you, go forth and soar.
3. What were some of your most notable achievements as Festival Queen, and what plans do you have in place to ensure that they are still impactful after your reign?
Wow, I've had many note worthy moments, and the experiences I will cherish for a lifetime. Having ended the 29 year drought for St. Catherine, I received the Key to the City of Spanish Town presented by His Worship the Mayor, Councilor Norman Scott. I was also gifted a framed historic memorabilia from Reverend The Honorable Jeffrey A. McKenzie, Custos Rotulorum of St. Catherine and I obtained a plaque from the Municipality of Portmore. Equally memorable are the interactions I've had with students prior to the Covid-19 pandemic: I appreciated answering questions, offering words of advice as well as seeing their talents and enthusiasm which made me proud to be a role model in their eyes. In my reign, I instituted my project Ready, Set, Learn, which allowed myself and the team to secure pertinent school items for the Linstead Community Development Commission (CDC) so that the children were able to still participate in school in light of the pandemic. This project was further developed and we were able to assist with food, toiletries and linens for persons who have escaped domestic violence and use the Linstead CDC as a safe haven. I am humbled to have been of service in this manner and will continue to offer my services to the Linstead CDC. After handing over my Crown, I intend to pursue my Master's Degree, launch my business and continue writing. I will also continue to volunteer and contribute my skills to Jamaica.
4. Serving two terms and during a pandemic you must have had some experiences that would not have been typical for the regular Festival Queen. What was your most memorable experience during your reign?
Reigning for two years was a lovely opportunity because I was got the chance to become familiar with the requirements, courtesy call, duties and individuals I would interface with. I appreciate the fact that I was able to become one with my role and further assess how I can truly be impactful. As a result, I was able to be of service to more individuals and make history for a second time as the longest serving Miss Jamaica Festival Queen. I am thankful and continue to support Jamaica even after my official reign has concluded.
5. Our multifaceted Festival Queen is also a trained Chef. As someone with an experienced culinary palate, if you could design a meal where each ingredient represents a facet of your personality, what would it be, what would you name it and what would it entail?
Lol, arite mek me tell yuh.
I would call it "Royal Niceness". It would be made with three main ingredients Chicken, Ripe Plantains and Yam. I chose Chicken, because like me it is adaptable and versatile. I chose the plantain, because it is sweet, like me, and Yam because it's strong and resilient. I would make a Jerk Chicken Roulade with Yam Croquettes, a velvety, sweet and spicy Plantain Sauce and a side of Market Vegetables. Mi know you want some aredi, lol. Who beg nah get, who nuh beg nuh want.
