Carolyn Yapp, a 25-year-old interior designer, was crowned Miss Jamaica Universe 2009 to loud cheers and prolonged applause from the small audience in attendance at The Refuge at Villa Ronai last Thursday. The coronation was a private affair, attended by the family and friends of the contestants, as well as producers and organisers from Pulse, licensees for the Jamaica preliminary to Miss Universe.

Judges were well-known fashion and beauty personalities Barry Moncrieffe, former principal dancer of the NDTC and fashion designer; Gilou Bauer, curator of the Mutual Life Gallery, and Lois Lake-Sherwood, artist, business executive and diplomat. The winner was the unanimous choice of the judges.

Rnners-up

First runner-up was Fallon Harris, a 21-year-old student at the University of the West Indies and fashion model. Second runner-up was budding model, singer and designer, 19-year-old Krystina Black.

This year is considered especially important for Caribbean contestants, as the Miss Universe pageant will be held at Atlantis in The Bahamas on August 23.

An elated Yapp said she is expecting to do well in The Bahamas.

"It has always been a dream of mine to be an ambassador for my country and this is my chance. I know the competition will be tough but I'm ready to do my country proud and bring the title home," she said.

Top-10 finishers

Although never having won the title, Jamaica has had significant success at Miss Universe pageants, claiming four top-10 finishers - Sandra Foster, Nicole Haughton, Christine Straw and Kimberley Mais. Several other beauties, including Sanya Hughes, Rachel Stuart, Trudy Ferguson, Justine Willoughby, Bridgette Rhoden and Zahra Redwood, the first Rastafarian beauty queen to appear in a major international pageant, have also raised Jamaica's profile at the international pageant.

Yapp is the daughter of Jean and Hartley Yapp and is originally from Montego Bay. She is a graduate of the University of the West Indies and did postgraduate studies in interior design in Florida. She currently resides in Kingston.