Ayoka Davis, a 24-year-old Guidance Counsellor at her alma mater Maria High School was crowned Miss St. Ann Festival Queen on Sunday, June 18 at Cardiff Hotel & Spa, Runaway Bay in the parish.
Davis explained during her reign as Miss St. Ann Festival Queen, she plans to execute several projects but a main one of the projects that she has in mind is the Talawah Helping Hands Programme which is geared towards helping people with mental health issues and learning disabilities. The project will focus on spreading awareness as it relates to different types of learning styles and the techniques to manage mental health issues.
“The first step is to understand that mental health issues are real, and learning about various types of disabilities is also real. But not only do I want to make them aware, but I want to seek help for them where I know that they can get the support they need to make a difference in their lives. I want tangible support that can come through”, the newly crowned queen shared.
Davis further explained that the young ladies from the competition were very supportive in every way possible. “They were so loving, and that reminded me of my purpose of who I am as a person, and I don't regret entering this competition. Even though they were challenging times, especially when it came to financial needs and resources, I ensure to trust God through the whole process and pray to the whole process”, Davis shared.
The contestants were supportive by sending information to the WhatsApp group to ensure that everybody could be aware and informed. “I have been watching and attending these JCDC Festival Queen Competitions over the years and I have always admired the young ladies and I wanted to learn how to be a better leader. I wanted to make myself available to my country to become a better person, and I also wanted to gain more”, Davis explained in a very empathic tone.
Davis confidently expressed her ability to secure the crown for her parish at the Nationals. “I know that I can win. I feel elated. I feel blessed. I feel happy, and most of all, I feel humble. I feel as though I have done excellent in every area and to know that God allowed me to win two sectional prizes is excellent for me. God is good”, Davis thankfully shared.
Ayoka Davis wore the sash of Miss Tents N’ More and gracefully secured Best Performance and Most Congenial sectional prizes along with the crown while Brittany Alexander secured the first runner-up title. Nia Souden was named second runner-up with four of the six sectional prizes: Most Active in the Community, Most Culturally Aware, Most Popular on Social Media and Most Poised. Also Davis will now go on to compete in the National Coronation that is set for August 1in Kingston.
