2nd Place Winner Steps Up After Queen Steps Down
Some Portlanders were a little confused watching or hearing about the parish’s contestant in the National Festival Queen Contest on August 1, 2023.
The name mentioned was Makalia Benjamin.
But she was not the winner of the contest on June 24 in Portland. So what happened?
Well, Makalia is a 19-year-old student at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts. She was first runner-up (or placed second) in the 2023 Miss Portland Festival Queen competition.
Miss Benjamin assumed the title and duties as Parish Queen just days before the queens from the Parishes were to assemble for training in Kingston. The organisers have hailed her as being brave and honourable to jump in at the last minute, so to speak.
Miss Benjamin became the Queen consequent to the decision of the original winner, Shashanique Beckford not t continue. Miss Beckford, a 22-year-old teacher, recently informed the organizers that she wished to relinquish the title and no longer be recognized in that capacity.
As the newly appointed Queen, Benjamin bravely took on the task of representing Portland and competed against 12 other culturally aware, poised and talented Parish Queens for the coveted national crown.
In a release, Executive Director of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Lenford Salmon, in acknowledging Beckford’s request to relinquish the title said, “Given the reasons proffered by Beckford, the JCDC not only understands, but also fully appreciates the need for her to focus on her own personal wellbeing at this time.”
The Miss Jamaica Festival Queen 2023 title was won by Aundrene Cameron (centre), who represented St. Catherine. She was crowned by outgoing Queen, Velonique Bowen, at the coronation show held at the Independence Village at the Independence Park Complex in Kingston on Tuesday, August 1.
Here is Miss Portland Festival Queen Makalia Benjamin speaking to Anna Kay Rodgers immediately after
the competition Tuesday night. Listen
