2 weeks ago
6
WESTERN BUREAU:
With grace, confidence, and a strong commitment to community, 26-year-old attorney-at-law Jhenelle Small was crowned the 2025 Miss Westmoreland Festival Queen on Sunday evening at the Sean Lavery Faith Hall in Savanna-la-Mar. Representing Dionne N.S. Meylor and Associates, Small stood out in a competitive field of contestants with her eloquence, cultural awareness, and dedication to civic engagement.
A proud native of Strathbogie, she impressed judges and patrons alike with her poise and thoughtful responses during the interview segment, where her passion for advocacy and nation-building shone through.
“I am feeling blessed. It has been a sacrifice, and God rewards sacrifices,” Small told The Gleaner, following her crowning and sashing. She went on, “I am elated; it has been an amazing journey. I have gained so many sisters and learned so much, and I am beyond excited to represent the wonderful parish of Westmoreland.”
Inspired by her passion for service, Small credited her journey to the encouragement of Jessica Davidson, an educator from the Manning’s School, who saw the potential in her some years ago and encouraged her to get involve in pageants.
“Miss Davidson saw a spark in me and encouraged me to enter the Miss Manning Festival Queen competition. That experience prompted me to enter the JCDC Festival Queen competition, where I can now serve as a cultural ambassador for my parish and, eventually, for Jamaica,” said Small, who pledged to be a strong representative for the parish in the National Festival Queen finals.
“Westmoreland can expect an amazing showing. Jamaicans can expect that Jhenelle Small is coming for the crown,” she continued, noting that her preparation involved intense studying, disciplined practice, and spiritual grounding, supported by the unwavering prayers and fasting of her parents.
What sets her apart is a powerful vision to launch ‘Justice on Wheels’, a mobile legal outreach programme that brings essential legal services directly to rural communities in Westmoreland. Focused on will preparation, land titling, and legal literacy, the initiative aims to ensure access to justice for all. She hopes to collaborate with agencies such as the Administrator General’s Department and the National Land Agency to help bring her mission to life.
This year, the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission raised the Festival Queen age limit to 30 to make the annual pageant more inclusive. At 26, Small is among the contestants who reflect this shift, bringing both professional experience and strong community involvement to the stage.
Small’s sponsor, Dionne N. S. Meyler and Associates, were elated at her success, expressing pleasure with the way she represented the brand.
“It was faith; she was number one at the sashing and, coincidentally, drew my name from the basket. The rest is history,” said attorney-at-law Dionene Meyler. “She once told me that as a young girl, she would drive by my office and say, ‘I want to become a lawyer like that lady someday.’ She followed that dream, and today she is walking in her glory as Miss Westmoreland Festival Queen.”
Twenty-seven-year-old Kimberly Staple, a media marketing specialist who represented Miss Royal Pharmacy, was named first runner-up, while 29-year-old Everly Graham, who represented Miss Infinity Dream Entertainment Complex, placed third.
English (US) ·