Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
LEFT: April Jackson, Miss Jamaica Universe 2008.
Contributed
RIGHT: Best friends for life.
Misha Lobban, Contributor
No love, no friendship, can cross the path of our destiny without leaving some mark on it forever.
- Francois Mocuriac
Miss Jamaica Universe 2008, April Jackson, grew up in an environment that stimulated and fostered her strong sense of responsibility and confidence as well as her drive to achieve the best. It was, therefore, no surprise to her best friend, Toni-Ann Reid, and those who know her well when she walked away with the Miss Jamaica Universe crown on Saturday, April 12. The former Miss Jamaica UK is confidently looking forward to represent Jamaica in the Miss Universe pageant to be staged in Vietnam in July this year.
Toni-Ann is a 20 year-old graduate of Bishop Gibson High School and a second-year student at the University of Technology (UTech). She is studying urban and regional planning with the hope of fulfilling her dream to become a project manager.
INSIGHT
Through the eyes of her best friend, we gain insight into this articulate, effervescent 18-year-old beauty queen. In this issue, we also learn of April's passion for sports and her plans to use the Miss Universe platform to draw attention to the issues affecting children in government institutions.
How did you meet April Jackson and how long have you been friends?
I met April at a slumber party held at my cousin's house ... that was 13 years ago. My cousin and April were both attending Hillel Preparatory School at the time, and because they were friends, April would always accompany us to movies, parties, vacations and family events, and so our friendship grew naturally over time.
Tell us what you admire most about her, and why you think you have remained friends all these years.
I admire April's charming personality. She has a tendency to draw people to her like a magnet. I think people gravitate towards her because she always looks at the positive in every situation, and that's why I like her. She's also very ambitious.
We both have similar qualities in terms of our personality traits. She also has qualities that I don't have, in that she is a people person and is very outgoing, while I am the opposite, and so we balance each other as friends.
Tell us something interesting about her.
She loves to cook and she is very active in almost every form of sport. She enjoys playing tennis and netball ever since she was in school, and still tries to play tennis as often as possible, depending on her schedule.
She was captain of the netball team at Hillel from second form through to fifth form, and she was also a member of the football, tennis and track and field teams. April has this ability to multitask, and so she was able to balance her involvement in sports and other social clubs while studying.
When she graduated from Hillel in 2005, she received the Hillel Award for outstanding academic achievement and her involvement in sports and other extra-curricular activities. She also earned the Principal Award and a special award for her outstanding achievements.
What are some of the things you talk about when you are together?
We tend to talk a lot about the future and our career goals. I amtrying to figure out what to do after I complete studies at UTech, and April is trying to decide which university to attend in order to pursue studies in law and economics.
We also talk about the places in the world to which we want to travel and we also laugh a lot when we are together.
Share with us one of the happiest moments you have experienced with her.
One of the happiest moments I remember is the support she gave me during a very difficult time in my life.
When she graduated from Hillel and literally walked away with awards for her achievement in sports, academics and as an all-round student, it was also a happy moment.
Also, her coronation was definitely a happy moment. I knew she would have gained a place in the competition because she is articulate and is an all-rounder. I was so elated when she won. I know that she will do well as an ambassador for Jamaica and the community projects she will be involved with, such as the work to be done with children's homes. This is something she is passionate about and I know she will use the opportunity to draw attention to the issues affecting children in these homes.
Tell us the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of April, and why.
Supportive - this is one of the most valuable qualities that she gives to her friends.
What are her favourite food, favourite music and favourite sport?
She enjoys pasta and anything Italian. It's hard to specify her favourite music as she enjoys all types. Whether it is rock, reggae, instrumental or classical, she will have a grand time just enjoying the music. Netball and tennis.
Tell us the colour that you associate with April:
Yellow: signifying someone you'll never forget
Orange: signifying someone you consider your true friend
Red: signifying someone you really love
Green: signifying someone you has had a significant impact on your life
Orange ... I consider her a true friend because she is always there for me. She is willing to tell the truth, to provide guidance and support and to give an objective perspective in our relationship.
Define for us what you consider to be a true friend.
A true friend is one who is honest, trustworthy and supportive. A true friend is never afraid to point out your flaws but does it in a loving and meaningful way. That is the kind of friend April is to me. We understand each other and can relate to each other. Sometimes when we are together we don't need to speak yet we are able to sense what we are feeling at that moment. The friendship we share is a happy one, and I hope that we will remain friends for a long time.
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