3 weeks ago
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Miss Kingston & St. Andrew Festival Queen, Brithney Clarke, is the winner of the 2025 Miss Jamaica Festival Queen title.
Clarke was crowned on Saturday night at the National Festival Queen Coronation show held at the National Indoor Sports Centre, as part of the Jamaica 63 Independence celebrations.
In January, the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission announced that it had made a change to the Festival Queen Competition by increasing the age limit eligibility from 24 years-old to 30. The 28-year-old Clarke benefited from this new policy.
The daughter of Senior Superintendent of Police, Stephanie Lindsay, head of the Constabulary Communications Network, and Rohan Clarke, Brithney is a reporter, television presenter, and communications practitioner. Both of her parents and a host of relatives, as well as several of the other contestants in the Miss Kingston & St Andrew competition were present to loudly cheer her on, as she glided through all the stages of Saturday's competition.
Just as she did at the parish finals in June, Clarke won a number of sectional prizes, including Most Congenial, Most Poised, and Most Popular on Social Media.
An elated Miss Jamaica Festival Queen 2025 told The Gleaner that even though she didn't expect to win, mainly because "the other girls in the competition were exceptional" she gave it her best.
"I am feeling very grateful, honoured, humbled and happy to be selected for the title," said Clarke, who showered praises on her parents, relatives and friends for supporting her 100 per cent on her journey to the national title.
Placing second was Miss St Catherine, 24-year-old entrepreneur Afiya Birch-Gentles, who holds a Master of Arts degree in Cultural Studies. She won the prizes for Best Performer and Best in Gown.
Rounding out the top three was 22-year-old medical student, Rhaveen Kildare, who wore the crown Miss Clarendon. She was awarded the prizes for Most Active in the Community and Most Culturally Aware.
This year's competition saw the last-minute withdrawal of Miss Trelawny Festival Queen, Selena Angus. Organisers, the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, in a press release on Saturday morning, said that Angus would be "unable to participate in the National Festival Queen Coronation due to a sudden medical emergency".
"She participated in official courtesy calls, took part in rehearsals, and was poised to represent Trelawny with grace and pride on the national stage. Following a recent medical evaluation, however, her doctors have advised that she remain under their care and refrain from further participation in the competition," the press release stated.
On Saturday night, there were 12 finalists in the competition.
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