Radio personality and student of the University of the West Indies, Shanecia Daley, is the 2023 Miss Clarendon Festival Queen. She was chosen from a field of eight contestants at the coronation held on Saturday, June 3, at Hotel Versalles in May Pen. As Parish Queen, Miss Daley will represent Clarendon and compete for the prestigious title of Miss Jamaica Festival Queen 2023 at the Grand Coronation slated for August 1, in Kingston. The Competition forms part of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s (JCDC) annual slew of Independence activities.

For her victory, Miss Daley received a cash prize of $60,000 courtesy of the JCDC, $20,000 courtesy of New Denbigh Pharmacy and gift packages. She was also adjudged Most Active in the Community, Most Poised, Most Culturally Aware and received the award for Best Performance.

Second place in the competition went to Britnie Edwards, a 22-year-old Norman Manley Law School student and Contract Analyst, who was also adjudged Most Popular on Social Media. She received $40,000 along with several gift packages. In third place was Shamoya Smith, a 25-year-old Medical Administrative Assistant who also received several gift packages and $20,000.00

“I am grateful, excited, elated and those are just some of the words I can use to describe the feeling. I am looking forward to representing my parish on an even bigger platform and to make everyone in Clarendon proud. I think it is important that I get ready to go out there and to do my best and to show you all that I was the right choice.” Daley said as she expressed sentiments about winning the 2023 crown.

Miss Daley is a student at the University of the West Indies where she is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Journalism. She has also worked as a radio personality at NewsTalk 93 FM.

Sheri-Gaye Johnson, Miss Clarendon Festival Queen 2022 and 1st Runner Up in the National Finals handed over the crown to the parish’s next cultural ambassador. In her outgoing speech she shared that her experience as the 2022 Miss Clarendon Festival Queen encapsulated what it means to be a Jamaican Woman. “This platform has given me the privilege of representing a cause close to my heart and I am humbled by the impact we were able to create together. It is with a bittersweet heart that I relinquish my crown and sash. This journey filled with glittering gowns and shiny moments has been nothing short of … As with any fairytale, there comes a time when the Queen must pass the torch… To the next Queen, cherish every moment of this incredible journey.”

Acting Parish Manager for the JCDC in Clarendon, Maurice Marshalleck credited the success of the event to the kind support and assistance of local and national sponsors. He listed Juici Patties Limited, Cousins Construction Limited, World Net Investment Ltd, Privilege Pro, Parts A Lot, Home Boys Rental, Hotel Versalles as the major local sponsors, alongside other local sponsors and donors.  The National Sponsors for this year’s Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Competition are: Excelsior, Airports Authority of Jamaica, Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority, Jergens, J.F. Mills, Mega Marketing, Playtex, Stayfree, Bioré.

The Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Competition is a signature programme of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC). It focuses on leadership, appreciation of the role of women, culture, creative talent, and community involvement. It is open to young women between the ages of 18 and 25.

Clarendon’s Coronation brings the number of Parish Queens crowned in this year’s staging to two. St. Mary also crowned its Queen on Saturday, June 3 at the Anglican Church Hall in Port Maria. The winner is Sherai Campbell, 21-year-old student pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work.

PARISH CORONATION CONTINUES

Coming up next weekend, Hanover will crown their winner on Saturday, June 10 at the Jockey Factory in Hanover and also on June 10, St. Thomas will crown their Queen at Colonel’s Cove in Morant Bay. Both shows start at 8:00 p.m. Manchester is also gearing up for its Coronation which will be held on Sunday, June 11 at Belair High Auditorium in Mandeville beginning at 7:00 p.m. 

 The other scheduled shows are: Trelawny and Kingston and St. Andrew on Saturday on June 17; St. Ann and Westmoreland on Sunday, June 18, and Portland and St. Elizabeth on Saturday, June 24. The parish shows culminate in St. James on Sunday, June 25.

Admission is free. However, persons attending are required to have tickets to enter the venue. These are available at the respective JCDC Parish Office island wide.

Most shows will be streamed live on the JCDC’s website and highlights of each show will be posted on the JCDC’s Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter pages.