Miss Jamaica 2009, 20-year-old Kerrie Baylis, is still trying to get used to her new title. -Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

After almost two weeks, Kerrie Baylis still has moments when she just sits and looks at her sash and crown. It's a bit surreal to the 20-year-old that she is Miss Jamaica World 2009. "I'm trying to get used to it, that I'm Miss Jamaica. I have people coming up to me in the street and congratulating me, people I don't know."

Speaking with Flair last week, the bubbly social butterfly admitted that this wasn't in her plans. Though her sister Kaprina entered the competition a few years ago, it was a friend who encouraged young Baylis to enter. "It wasn't a plan, a friend was pushing me and it opened up a platform to make a difference to give back to a country that has given so much to me," she said.

Though she is not short on confidence, Baylis never thought she would win. "You hope to, but don't expect it. I just had to be the best I can be. I worked hard that night and performed my best." There were only five available spots in the top 10 on coronation night as the others were secured by winners of the five fast track competitions held prior to the big night.

Fate sealed

Her fate may have been sealed by the question she was asked by former beauty queen Imani Duncan, who asked Baylis, if she had the power, how would she solve Jamaica's economic crisis. Baylis responded that she would cut down on agricultural imports.

"It was easy for me as my father is in manufacturing. I'm pretty glad I got that question."

While the judges tabulated their scores, the top five, Kamila McDonald, Keri-Ann Bridgewater, Stephanie Hazle, Calee Scharschmidt and Kerrie Baylis, waited with bated breath.

"Those five minutes were the longest of my life," recalled the beauty queen. She remembers that when her name was called, "It's an adrenaline rush. Just shock and excitement".

Baylis is very excited about what the year will hold for her and about representing Jamaica at the Miss Word finals in Johannesburg, South Africa, in December. During her reign, she hopes to focus on not just one project, but on projects that will benefit Jamaica as a whole. However, working with hospitals is something she would really love to do as her sister Kaprina has apraxic ameinia and myloid displacia. Though not a match for her, Baylis is a registered bone marrow donor.

Negative Comments

As to comments that have been made that she is not a true representation of Jamaicans, the beauty queen had this to say: "It doesn't bother me. What makes you Jamaican is not your skin colour. It's very unfair to fit a particular look to what makes you Jamaican, but with every success comes some negativity."

Regarding South Africa, "I'm going to try my hardest." Baylis goes with an open mind while being excited about visiting a country she has always wanted to. One of the highlights of the trip for her will be the safaris as she is crazy about animals. "I am also really looking forward to picking out the wardrobe. I love clothes and shopping." She is prepared to represent Jamaica to the fullest, noting that our good far outweighs the bad.

This humble, ordinary island girl, as she describes herself, is not so ordinary anymore. With just one year left in law studies at the University of Surrey in London, she takes everything in stride and is prepared for whatever may come. "You have to be a fighter. I'm not a quitter. You have to stick it out to the end; I have no idea what the year is going to bring."

nashauna.drummond@gleanerjm.com