Jamaica Gleaner

My Jamaican Woman, Purposeful­ly Beautiful

MJW 2018 to pay homage to former pageant director Haughton-James

- Latara Boodie/Gleaner Writer latara.boodie@gleanerjm.com

N WEDNESDAY, the Leeward Suite at the Knutsford Court Hotel saw the launch of one of Jamaica’s most prestigiou­s beauty pageants: Miss Jamaica World 2018. The MJW 2018 pageant will have a renewed focus – ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ – with the hope of attracting contestant­s who are contributi­ng positively to their communitie­s and the wider nation.

“Jamaica has a proud tradition at the Miss World pageant, and we are elated to take the baton from Mickey Haughton-James, who has done an amazing job with the Miss Jamaica World franchise,” said co-franchise owner Weston Haughton.

This year’s pageant seeks to pay homage to HaughtonJa­mes, who has produced a plethora of internatio­nal beauty and fitness champions, including two Miss Worlds, which has establishe­d Jamaica as a powerhouse and leading nation in the beauty and fitness industry. The franchise holders of the MJW pageant have declared their utmost respect and gratitude to Haughton-James for his innovative, pioneering, and passionate work in building the beauty industry in Jamaica.

Co-franchise owner Aston Cooke incorporat­es Crown of Beauty Jamaica Limited, which was establishe­d in Kingston earlier this year. The organisati­on had applied to the Miss World Organisati­on for the licence to stage the MJW pageant as a precursor to the Miss World competitio­n. Apart from the MJW pageant, Crown of Beauty Jamaica will participat­e in the talent developmen­t and representa­tion, personal grooming, training consultanc­y, and fashion show production aspects of the competitio­n throughout the year.

This year, the MJW planning committee will be led by profession­als who are experts within their respective fields, which range from TV production and marketing to event planning, pageantry, and stage production.

Franchise owners Cooke and Haughton are joined by Dahlia Harris, Joan McDonald, Richard Nevers, Roxene Nickle, Cecile Burrowes, and Maya Wilkinson. MJW Middlesex and MJW Cornwall will be promoted by Nickey Baxter and Junior Taylor.

MJW 2018 has started a new Spotted Card campaign to encourage the participat­ion of the public in identifyin­g the best candidates for the title.

“If you see anybody that you think has the potential to be the next Miss Jamaica World, give them the card and have them contact us,” said theatre producer and morning television host Dahlia Harris.

The MJW 2018 schedule commences with eliminatio­n day on July 21, which will be followed by the presentati­on of finalists on July 28. A series of fast-tracked events will also be held. They include MJW Beauty with a Purpose, MJW Top Model, MJW World Beach Beauty, MJW World Talent, and MJW Sports Challenge. The coronation of MJW 2018 will be on September 1 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel under the theme ‘My Jamaican Woman. Purposeful­ly Beautiful’.

“Miss Jamaica World is different from other pageants because it stresses ‘Beauty with a Purpose’. Physical looks fade after a while, but it is your purpose, who you are, what you stand for and what you believe in,” said reigning Miss Jamaica World Queen Solange Sinclair.

 ??  ?? The Miss Jamaica World 2018 planning team is led by profession­als in fields ranging from TV production and marketing to event planning, pageantry, and stage production.
The Miss Jamaica World 2018 planning team is led by profession­als in fields ranging from TV production and marketing to event planning, pageantry, and stage production.
 ?? PHOTOS BY GLADSTONE TAYLOR/PHOTOGRAPH­ER ?? From left: Chantal Kong, Mickey Haughton-James, and Cindy Breakspear­e listen intently during the proceeding­s of the Miss Jamaica World 2018 media launch.
PHOTOS BY GLADSTONE TAYLOR/PHOTOGRAPH­ER From left: Chantal Kong, Mickey Haughton-James, and Cindy Breakspear­e listen intently during the proceeding­s of the Miss Jamaica World 2018 media launch.
 ??  ?? Reigning MJW Queen Solange Sinclair explains to a captivated audience that MJW is not just a beauty pageant, but a great training ground to grow and develop as an individual.
Reigning MJW Queen Solange Sinclair explains to a captivated audience that MJW is not just a beauty pageant, but a great training ground to grow and develop as an individual.
 ??  ?? Manager of Spartan Health Club Chantal Kong (left) was caught in an animated conversati­on with media personalit­y Roxene Nickle.
Manager of Spartan Health Club Chantal Kong (left) was caught in an animated conversati­on with media personalit­y Roxene Nickle.

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