Fifteen of the 16 Miss Jamaica World 2008 contestants, at the private judging session held at Spartan Health Club, Lady Musgrave Road last Wednesday. From left are: Yanique Marie-Ann Levy; Sydonie McBayne; Staci-Lee Peart; Sian Watts; Shaneka Sherise Simpson; Raecine Williams; Nikita Byfield; Monique Daley; Jodion Henry; Jade Grant; Danielle Brown; Danielle Bazzoni; Chaka Lagurre; Brittany Lyons; and Arcadia Brown. Absent is Marshagay Reynolds. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Sixteen beautiful young women are one step closer to the coveted Miss Jamaica World title, and the chance to represent the island at the Miss World pageant in Keiv, Ukraine.

The 16 finalists were chosen in a private judging session held at the Spartan Health Club, on Lady Musgrave Road, last Wednesday. This session is in keeping with the new selection process introduced by Spartan in 2007.

Selection Process

With the new selection process, the contestants are able to send in a completed entry form, along with photographs. This year, 73 young hopefuls entered. Forty-four were invited to the judging session of which 16 were chosen for the finals.

The 16 finalists will make their first public appearance on July 27 at the poolside of the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, starting at 11 a.m. Here, they will also be sashed by their sponsors.

The young women will undergo the usual intense training in grooming, voice and speech and etiquette, to be ready for the grand coronation show on August 16 at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel.

The 16 finalists are: Arcadia Brown, Brittany Lyons, Chaka Lagurre, Danielle Brown, Danielle Bazzoni, Jade Grant, Jodion Henry, Marshagay Reynolds, Monique Daley, Nikita Byfield, Raecine Williams, Shaneka Sherise Simpson, Sian Watts, Staci-Lee Peart, Sydonie McBayne, and Yanique Marie-Ann Levy.