21-Year-Old Youth Advocate Wins
A youth advocate is this year’s St Mary Festival Queen.
She is 21-year-old Sherai Campbell, founder of the ‘Youth of Three Hills Community Club’.
Miss Campbell also won a variety of sectional prizes at the Parish Coronation held on Saturday, June 3, at the Anglican Church Hall in Port Maria.
The event, organized by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), was held under the theme, ‘The Jamaican Woman: Strong, Dignified, Creative’.
Campbell said she was excited by the win. “I feel like I have accomplished a major milestone of mine. I had a lot of people counting on me, telling me that they really wanted me to get the title and they were really supportive, so I feel pleased with myself.”
For her victory, Campbell received a cash prize of $75,000 courtesy of Ruban Construction Boutique Ltd. and gift packages. She was also adjudged Most Culturally Aware, Most Active in the Community, Most Poised and for putting in the Best Performance, in the talent pieces. Cash prizes were awarded for each of those triumphs.
(ST MARY QUEEN: Sherai Campbell is all smiles after winning the coveted crown at the Miss St. Mary Festival Queen Coronation 2023, held on Saturday, June 3, at the St. Mary Anglican Church Hall, Port Maria in the parish.)
Second place in the competition went to 19-year-old Tadwaine Wilson who was also adjudged the Most Popular on Social Media. She received $50,000 courtesy of Bundah & Son’s Construction Ltd. along with several gift packages, and a $10,000 Gift card courtesy of Likkle Brawta.
In third place was 18-year old Kevaughna Brown, she received gift packages, $25, 000 courtesy of B&M Essential Auto Imports Ltd and a $5,000 Gift card courtesy of Likkle Brawta.
Other contestants were Kimaria Henry – Miss Retreat and Dexanie Wood – Miss Oracabessa.
LOVER OF PAGEANTS
The Festival Queen said she decided to enter this competition because of her love of pageants. She said she had long been interested in and been paying attention to the Festival Queen Pageant.
As a youth advocate, Campbell has participated in various youth-centered initiatives organized by the St. Mary Parish Youth Council. She also serves as a host on ‘Talk Up Yout’, a popular radio programme. At the community level she established the ‘Youth of Three Hills Community Club’.
The 21-year-old is confident that she will win the national title in August. She said, “I am motivated to go into Kingston and to give my 100% best,” knowing that the parish of St Mary is behind her. St Mary last won the national title in 2018.
JCDC St. Mary Parish Manager, Sanya Maragh, credited the success of the event to the support and assistance of local and national sponsors.
Local Sponsors are: Ruban Construction Boutique, B&M Essential Auto Imports Limited, Bundah and Sons Construction Limited, D&R Woodcraft Traders, Bob Supercenter, Sound Dynamics, St Mary Municipal Corporation, Phoenix Vision Centre, Supermed Family of Pharmacies, Promo Prints, JB’s Flowers &Things, Giant Family Mart, Likkle Brawta, D&S Interior Decor Flowers & Gifts, Lovely Spot, Park Way Pharmacy, Glammed by Cotton Kandii and Bandoo Events Solutions.
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