Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

Jackson shows off another of her outfits (left) and Miss Jamaica U.K. April Jackson poses in one of her exquisite outfits (right).

April Jackson, full of spunk with thoughts that belie her 18 years on the planet, is the reigning Miss Jamaica United Kingdom.

Despite her looks and deportment, she never considered herself the beauty pageant type until the founder of the pageant, June Daley saw her picture on a calendar for her father's company, Jamaica Trading Services Ltd.

"Because it was Ms. Jamaica U.K., I saw it as an opportunity to be more Jamaican and learn how to be Jamaican," she said. Though April was born in England, she considers Jamaica her home country. "I'm not English, I just sound it," she giggles. Try as she might though, she confesses that she can't speak patois. "My friends have tried to teach me from the bad words to normal words but I just can't get it," she said smiling.

Jamaica is home

She came to Jamaica when she was eight and went on to attended Hillel Academy. She returned to England for her A'Level studies at Albemarle College, in London, where she currently studies economics, mathematics, French and biology. April marvels at the difference in the culture in Jamaica and the U.K.

"People do not greet one another (in the U.K.). They don't entertain a conversation with you unless they know you. If you said, 'Hello, good morning' to someone, they would think you're crazy," she remarked.

The pageant

April competed against 15 other contestants in the pageant and though she missed the pre-competition training, it didn't hamper the outcome. Having actually lived in Jamaica, she felt that gave her a little advantage over the others.

"For me it wasn't a beauty thing; it was to be able to show people a positive side of Jamaica because there's a lot of negative stereotypes that I think I can change. This (the competition) just gave me the platform for people to actually listen," she pointed out.

She was very disturbed that some of the contestants had no idea about Jamaica even places as popular as Hellshire.

April has used her crown to good effect, ensuring that the good things about Jamaica and the pageant come to public knowledge. She also does some mentoring. "As their peer, I can address their issues at their level and also they confide in me in a way they would never do with a 30-year-old,' she reasons.

One setback is that being a full-time student, she simply does not have the time to do as much as she would like. Despite her congested schedule, she still plays the piano, a little tennis and models. "I'm five foot, eleven and a half so I'd like to put m to good use," she chuckled.

Career goals

Miss Jamaica UK, April Jackson (right), presents a gift to Jamaican High Commissioner to London, Burchell Whiteman. looking on is June Daley, president of the Miss Jamaica U.K. contest. - Contributed

April is looking toward a career in law and economics with an eye for practising corporate financial law possibly in the investment banking field. But best news of all, she wants to do it in Jamaica.

"I want to see that the point is clear that we're not a terrorised nation and that there are so many positives to us as a country. I hope people realise what you see and hear is not the entire picture," she said. She wishes her predecessor will keep the flame burning as well. But more immediately on the horizon, she would like to enter the Miss Jamaica Universe pageant next year.

"The little I've been able to achieve as Miss Jamaica U.K. would be multiplied so much more because it's such a bigger platform. Furthermore, I've heard Jamaica has never won it, so I would love to be the first."

We wouldn't bet against her doing it.