‘Mi likkle but tallawah’

Anya Beanca Graham may stand just 4 feet 11 inches tall, but her confidence, compassion, and creativity make her a towering force for change. Crowned Miss St Mary Festival Queen 2025 on Saturday at the Casa Maria Hotel in Port Maria, the 25-year-old is already declaring herself a formidable contender for the national coronation, ready to step into her role with boldness and purpose.

“I am resilient, bold, and creative — and to borrow a Jamaican phrase, ‘mi likkle but tallawah’,” she said, beaming moments after her coronation. “That’s me in a nutshell.”

Representing the historic Rio Nuevo Battle Site, Graham rose to the top of a spirited field of five contestants during a heartfelt and culturally rich celebration. Her win not only earned her the parish crown, but also a chance to represent St Mary at the national Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Coronation on August 2 at the Jamaica 63 Independence Village at the National Indoor Sports Centre in St Andrew.

She also swept four sectional awards: Most Congenial, Most Active in the Community, Most Culturally Aware, and Most Popular on Social Media. First runner-up Shaneal Boreland, representing Miss Galina Lighthouse, took home awards for Most Poised and Best Performance, while Juelle Baker, Miss Tacky Falls, placed third.

For Graham, the title is more than just a crown — it is a platform for purpose.

“During my reign, I plan to execute a project aimed at empowering the people of St Mary to build, create, and believe,” she explained. “It will be in the form of a skills and visual arts workshop that teaches young people practical trades like plumbing and carpentry, while also tapping into their creativity. We want to show them that art is not limited to paint and canvas — it can come from anything, even old pipes and boards.”

Targeting youth ages seven to 17, the workshop will blend hands-on training with creative exploration. It will culminate in a public exhibition and art auction, with all proceeds going directly to the young participants.

“It is about more than skills,” Graham said. “It is about pride and possibility — giving these young people a chance to see the value in what they create with their own hands.”

Currently awaiting the final results of her bachelor’s degree in media and communication, Graham said the journey to the crown came at a pivotal point in her life and was not without its challenges.

“Tears, joy, laughter, headaches, sleepless nights — every emotion you can think of. But it was all worth it. No lies — it was all worth it.”

Looking ahead, she hopes to become a television and podcast host, while also launching her own landscaping and sanitation company — a blend of entrepreneurship and social impact that reflects her passion for both media and community development.

This year’s parish coronation was held before a small, invited audience due to logistical constraints.

As Graham prepares to take the national stage in August, her message is already resonating throughout St Mary.

“This isn’t just about wearing a crown,” she said. “It’s about using it to uplift others.”

entertainment@gleanerjm.com