TT journalist crowned Miss Jamzone International

BY BHISHAM MOHAMED 

Before a massive crowd of more than 20,000 people at the Splashmin’s Fun Park and Resort on Sunday, August 21, 19-year-old Miss Trinidad and Tobago, Davia Chambers, walked away with not only the coveted title of Miss Jamzone International 2011, but with a whopping US$10,000, among other prizes. She shared the spotlight with Miss Venezuela, as they both were named Miss Congeniality.

The radiant Chambers outshone nine other delegates to cop the top prize. During the grand finale, the journalist and anchor competed in the national costume, fantasy swimwear and intelligence segments of the competition.

The newly crowned queen hopes one day to establish herself as the first woman from her island to own a fashion magazine featuring everything Tobago. Her personal achievements include Best Personal Interview (Miss T& T World 2010), Best Evening Wear (Miss T& T World 2010), possession of 12 CSEC and GCE passes (including five grade ones and the remainder in grade twos), TCI Supermodel 2009, and many awards for academic and sporting achievements in high school.

Proud to represent the beautiful Trinidad and Tobago, Chambers promoted her country’s carnival; exuberant culture; the rainforest; waterfalls; their national instrument – the steel pan; rivers; and, most of all, its human resource.

Meanwhile, Miss Guyana, Jovan Wilson, copped the first runner-up position; while Miss Venezuela, Kelly Aranguren, was adjudged the second runner-up. Miss St Kitts and Nevis, Fatisha Imo, secured the third runner-up position. The prize of Miss Body Beautiful was also awarded to Ms Imo.

The first leg of the competition was held at the National Cultural Centre on Wednesday, August 17.

Eleven delegates from across the Caribbean and South America competed in the Introduction, Cultural, Evening Wear and the “get to know the delegates” segments.

Unfortunately, on the night of the grand finale, Miss Brazil, Simonara Oliveira, excluded herself from the competition for undisclosed reasons.

The 11 delegates, who had set the National Cultural Centre on fire on Wednesday, again “wowed” the audience at the Splashmin’s Fun Park and Resort. The girls did an opening dance before they introduced themselves to a well-behaved and disciplined crowd manifestly in party mood. The delegates, sashed and decked in two-piece outfits, sent the crowd into a frenzy.

Showcasing their intellectual capabilities, each delegate took about one minute to introduce herself. This elicited loud roars of appreciation and open admiration from the crowd.

After that segment, these irresistible ladies transformed the stage into a carnival atmosphere in the national costume competition, as they showcased the uniqueness of their respective countries.

The colourful and well designed costumes were excellently displayed, adding a unique flavour to the competition.

The crowd went out of control especially when Miss Guyana, Jovan Wilson, made her way on stage with her costume depicting Shell Beach, the home of the leatherback turtle. While one section of the crowd approved the outfit, another section thought that she had too much cloth on her body. The crowned queen sported a plaid outfit with colourful flounces depicting Trinidad’s tourist destinations.

Another outfit that sent the crowd in a frenzy was that on Miss Venezuela, Kelly Aranguren, It was a multi-coloured dress with a decorated top, and it had “flounces”. By this time, the crowd was being entertained by Jory, who sang his favourite tunes, including “Blackberry” and “Meh go down deh”, sending shockwaves among the patrons who jammed the night away. Also spicing up things at the fashion show was Deejay Sean from the Fusion Sound System, who played songs for all.

With an already hyped crowd getting on “bad,” it was time for the fantasy swimsuit segment. The delegates had to be creative and assist in designing a swimsuit to capture the scintillating tourism offing in their respective countries.

When the delegates hit the stage in their breathtaking colourful fantasy swimwear, patrons were left gaping with astonishment.

Miss Guyana made her entry on stage to loud applause as she emerged from a vegetable basket. Dressed in a two-piece fruity looking swimwear, she enticed the crowd with her smooth moves to the soca music.

Her “sting” did not last too long, as Miss Antigua and Barbuda made her way on the stage in a multi-coloured carnival swimwear. She definitely sent the right “vibes” through the crowd, evoking high-pitched screams and manly roars as she entertained the crowd with her perfect ensemble.

After all the Miss Jamzone International delegates had finished parading on stage with their fantasy swimwear, they were instructed to relax backstage whilst the judges tabulated their scores to decide the final four contestants.

Mondale Smith, with the results in his hands, requested that all the delegates make their way back on the stage for the announcement of the final four.

In random order, the final four were announced, starting with Miss St Kitts and Nevis, and followed by Miss Trinidad and Tobago, Miss Venezuela, and Miss Guyana.

When Miss Guyana was announced, the noise from the crowd could have offended the deaf.

The intelligence segment was next, and the four delegates were each asked to pull from a basket a question that was written by the judges. The first to do so was Miss St Kitts and Nevis. She was followed by Miss Trinidad and Tobago, Miss Venezuela and then Miss Guyana. When the results were announced, sections of the crowd were somewhat displeased with the judges’ decision. As Miss Trinidad and Tobago was named queen, rogues from the audience threw plastic water bottles on the stage. This did not prevent her from being crowned Miss Jamzone International 2011 by Miss Jamzone International 2010, then Miss Jamaica, Lesa Gayle Wee Tom.

The crowning of Miss Trinidad and Tobago as Miss Jamzone International 2011 brought the curtains down on the Jamzone Summer Break activities for 2011.