Nashauna Drummond, Staff Reporter
Contestants in Miss Jamaica Universe 2006.
AFTER THE hour-long wait the contestants who were revealed for this year's Miss Jamaica Universe title were not worth the wait. They were a little lacking in height and at first appearance, they have yet to show the striking qualities of a beauty queen. But training and grooming could change all that.
Eighteen of the 22 contestants were presented in an extremely short ceremony held at the The Veranda, located in the Pulse headquarters 38a Trafalgar Road.
For their first public appearance they were reminded by reigning Miss Universe Raquel Wright that the competition is much more than winning, but the friendships that are formed and the family unit that's developed were the meaningful components of the experience.
With just a month to go before the coronation, these young hopefuls need to be whipped into shape for the opportunity to represent their country. But they have a hard task ahead of them in replicating the achievements of present queen Raquel Wright.
The 2006 contestants are: Camille Bartley, Georgia Bennett, Monique Burroughs, Bellie-Gene Campbell, Joanie-Ann Campbell, Tenesha Chin, Ayanna Dixon, Tanesha Davis, Hillary Evelyn, Peta-Gaye Forbes, Melesia Fung, Nicolette Gomex, Freddi Jacobs, Stephanie Mclean, Lorraine Murray, Andre Pearce, Danisha Osbourne, Racquel Phillpotts, Alicia Richards, Monique Russell, Rebecca Silvera and Monique Wright.
Past Miss Jamaica Universe Winners
1989 Sandra Foster
1990 Michelle Hall
1991 Kimberly Mais-Issa
1992 Bridget Rhoden
1993 Rachel Stewart
1994 Angelie Martin-Spencer
1995 Justine Willoughby
1996 Trudy Ferguson
1997 Nadine Thomas
1988 Shani McGraham
1999 Nicole Haughton
2000 Saphire Longmore
2001 Zahra Burton
2002 Sanya Hughes
2003 Michelle Lecky
2004 Christine Straw
2005 Racquel Wright
