Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer
Ana-Kaye Norayan (centre), Miss Portmore Festival Queen, is flanked by runners-up, second-place Leonie Sawyers (left) and third-place Tomeca Campbell. All three winners will represent Portmore in the finals of the Festival Queen competition to be held on May 8 at the Louise Bennett Garden Theatre. - HUGH STONE PHOTO
SPANISH TOWN:
ANA-KAYE Norayan Anderson, a 21-year-old second year student at the University of the West Indies, was crowned Miss Portmore Festival Queen 2005.
Eleven contestants on Sunday vied for the title at the Portmore Heart Academy auditorium.
They participated in various activities throughout the night, including cultural presentations, an evening gown parade and, of course, the introduction to the audience.
CUT ABOVE THE REST
In the talent presentation, Ana-Kaye stood out. She delivered a piece entitled, 'No Toll', that brought rapturous applause from the audience. She was simply a cut above the rest of the competition.
In the interview segment, Ana-Kaye did not answer her question too well, but did well enough to get the nod over the other finalists.
In addition to her first prize of $15,000, she received tickets for two to New York, courtesy of Air Jamaica; a colour television, courtesy of Bashco Trading Company and a trophy from Supreme Ventures, which was given to the top three winners. She also won sectional prizes for 'Best Personality' and 'Best Performance'.
OTHER WINNERS
Leonie Sawyers, Miss Alignment and Car Care, placed second and won $8,000, courtesy Genius Pharmacy.
Miss TDK Auto Care, 21-year-old Tomeca Campbell, third-place winner and a crowd favourite, went home with $5,000, courtesy of Nishka Spring Water.
There were also prizes for persons finishing in the top six. The prize for being the 'Most Congenial' went to Marvel Morris, Miss Petcom Braeton Service Station and Supermarket, while Monique Lena Cooper, Miss Panache Optical, was named the 'Most Culturally Aware'.
There were several cultural performances from the Waterford High School, Thrilla Kid and Rohan and company.
It was a well attended affair, the audience headed by Portmore's Mayor George Lee and his wife, and several executive members of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), organisers of the pageant.
SURPRISED AT WINNING
Ana-Kaye, after her coronation said she was
surprised to have been chosen.
"I can't believe it really happened and I am totally shocked. However, I will be doing all in my power to make the lives of persons better," she said.
The top three ladies will go on to represent Portmore in the Miss St. Catherine final to be held May 1, at Ascot Hall in Old Harbour.
According to cultural organiser for Portmore Yasmaine Bryan-Brown, "The competition this year was very competitive and I have no doubt that contestants from Portmore will figure prominently in the Miss St. Catherine contest."
She also thanked the sponsors for their input in making the contest successful.
