Miss Westmoreland Festival Queen 2007, Nekeisha Lewis
Dalton Laing, Gleaner Writer
Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland:
Head Girl of The Manning's School, 18-year-old Nekeisha Lewis, is the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's (JCDC) Miss Westmoreland Festival Queen 2007, following a thrilling coronation at the Sean Lavery Faith Hall in Savanna-la-Mar on Saturday.
Ms. Lewis beat off five other ladies who all had a good chance at the title.
On her way to victory, she collected sectional prizes for Most Culturally Aware and Best Performance with her dramatic monologue dub poetry of Bob Marley's Redemption Song.
Shanique Medley, a 21-year-old teacher, was the first runner-up to the queen and had her share of the sectional prizes, that is, taking Best Personality and Most Involved. Twenty-two-year-old community development officer Nadian Anderson, who had to settle for second runner-up, won the sectional prize, Most Congenial.
Nekeisha explained that her road to victory had its obstacles and challenges, pointing out that her exams (CAPE) are just days away and she had to cut her studying time to facilitate preparations for the pageant.
Bursting with excitement
Miss Westmoreland Festival Queen 2007 winner Nekeisha Lewis (centre) is flanked by first runner-up Shanique Medley (left) and second runner-up, Nadian Anderson. - photos by Dalton Laing
Quite elated and bursting with excitement, Ms. Lewis told The Gleaner that she realised she was competing against some of the most intelligent young ladies in the parish, so additional sacrifices had to be made.
"I'm extremely passionate about cultural awareness and with that in mind, I intend to use this platform to disseminate information about our culture and people while at the same time represent Westmoreland to the best of my ability," said the newly crowned queen.
Citing that her inspiration came from former Festival Queen Dahlia Harris who was at her age when she won the national competition, Ms. Lewis is aiming to follow in her mentor's footsteps and wear the national crown.
"I entered this competition because I was inspired by Dahlia Harris who won it at age 18. I think I have the requisite skills that are necessary for me to do this and I'll work extremely hard to bring home the crown to Westmoreland."
Radio announcer Mykal Hyper of Vybz FM directed the evening's event and Digicel Rising Star Christopher Martin provided entertainment.
