Name: MONIQUE RUSSELL
Age: 20 years. Height: 5' 10" Weight: 125 lb Occupation: Student. Vital statistics: 34, 25, 35. Sponsor: Miss In Season Juices.
SG: Why did you decide to enter the competition?
MR: I decided to enter mainly because I was encouraged by family and friends and also individuals on the road. After giving it some thought I decided it would be good and the opportunity presented itself.
SG: What is your definition of a beauty queen?
MR: A beauty queen is someone who possesses some amount of physical beauty, but her qualities should be a mixture of beauty, love and kindness. She has to be a people person.
SG: What do you expect to achieve by entering this competition?
MR: I expect to achieve growth in terms of myself. I must walk away with something from this competition. I hope to meet some friends and become a well-rounded individual.
SG: What do you consider to be your best asset?
MR: My honesty. I am a very straightforward person. I don't sugar-coat things, whatever comes to my mind I tell you. I am also loyal because of my honesty.
SG: How would you sell Jamaica to a foreigner in light of the high crime rate?
MR: I would not spend my time informing the individual about the negative aspect, of Jamaica. I would be telling them about the beautiful people who are very hospitable and very warm. I would talk about our great culture, the food, the music and the fact that Jamaica is somewhere you can come and just relax. Somewhere where you should be treated to some of the best beaches, hotels and scenery.
SG: What do you love most about Jamaica?
MR: Nature. I like to take long road trips and enjoy the scenery, the sea, the rivers, birds and the flowers. Nature to me is one of Jamaica's best assets.
SG: If you could meet one person, who would it be, and why?
MR: My mother. She died when I was one year old. I really regret not meeting her. I really would like to get to know her and what she thinks about me. I would love to have a one-on-one conversation with her.
SG: If you were to win the title, what sector of society would you work with, and why?
MR: I would definitely want to work with the public sector. More and more the crime is reaching where I live. It is definitely getting closer and I fear for my family and friends.
SG: If you were the Prime Minister, what changes would you make, and how would you go about making those changes?
MR: The main problem we are facing is that we as a people are not united. I definitely would try to unite Jamaica's people. I would also make changes in the education sector. Only two per cent of Jamaica's population gets to enter university, therefore I would make tertiary level education accessible to more persons.
SG: What do you hope to achieve in five years?
MR: I am close to finishing my history degree so, hopefully, in the next five years I will be on my way to entering law school. I hope to be able to do some form of professional work in the law field.
