Jovan Wilson beats five to Miss Jamzone 2011
A TALENTED beauty, possessing academic credentials in tourism and a flare for poetry, Jovan Wilson beat five other delegates to capture the ‘Miss Jamzone 2011’ title and win $3M in prizes, at the National Cultural Centre last Thursday night. Wilson also won three out of the five special prizes, walking away with the ‘Best Talent’, ‘Miss Congeniality’ and ‘Best Gown’. Her platform was Staycation packages and she was sponsored by Fusion Inc.
The first runner-up, sponsored by White Castle Fish Shop, was Janella Lewis, with a platform of community based tourism. The second runner-up was Kiswana Jefford, sponsored by Moonstone Entertainment, on a platform of eco-tourism.
The competition got off to an exciting start when the delegates appeared strutting their stuff, to the sassy chutney song ‘Feeling Hot’, in candy coloured suits identical in style but different in colour.
Delegate number one, Jefford, who won the ‘Best Body’ prize, made her appearance in a blue two-piece, followed by Lewis, in blue, too. Delegate number three, ‘Miss Photogenic’ winner Nikita Barker, who was  sponsored by Eureka Lab, chose the colour purple like delegate number five, Jenelle Babb, whose sponsorship was by Platinum Entertainment. Wilson and delegate number six, Candia Paul, sponsored by the Bartica Regatta Committee, worked the stage in yellow.
The debate was on who looked the best and the battle was a tough one, with Jefford, a body beautiful winner in the ‘Miss Guyana Earth Pageant’ and Lewis holding the ‘Miss Body Beautiful’ title from the ‘Miss Regatta Pageant’.
In the much anticipated talent segment, Jefford, a member of the Classique Dance Company, performed a dance which she described as empowering Guyanese. It combined tribal African with traditional Indian styles and gymnastics. Her technique was a bit off, according to some of the overheard comments, but she, nevertheless, received resounding applause.
Costume changes
Lewis surprised the audience with middle dance music and costume changes, emerging on stage dancing in African wear to traditional African music, stripping off to an Asian belly dance costume and, finally, donning Caribbean Carnival attire.
Barker, who said Diwali was one of her favourite festivals, did an Indian dance by that name and Wilson stuck to the theme of the pageant, dressing as a tourism goddess and doing a dramatic presentation.
Babb, dressed in a nursery school uniform, ribbons and carrying a lunch kit, sang about the crime rate.
Paul did a cover of Dave Martins ‘Not a blade a grass’, her act causing the crowd some amusement.
The evening gown segment came in the second half of the programme, for which Jefford wore a sequined silver bustier and a skirt that was a replica of the buttercup. The outfit was described by the programme emcees, Miss India Guyana (Roshini Boodhoo) and Miss Guyana World (Tamika Henry), as symbolising optimism.
Lewis wore ‘Floral Rhapsody in Red’, a symbolism of her true personality and the strength of Guyanese people. The gown featured a one shoulder floral sleeve and asymmetrical chiffon wrap.
Barker’s gown, titled ‘Whispering Cascade’, was a purple silk number with wave like sashes and a very long train, that was said to be symbolic of life’s twists and turns.
Wilson’s winning gown was a light green that featured metallic accents.
Babb wore a combination of organza, sequins and metallic fabric on a gown that featured a jewelled flair attached to the side of the dress.
Final delegate Candia Paul wore an orange gown with a fishtail skirt.
In the interviews segment, judged on articulation, eye contact, content and personality, delegates were asked to speak on their platform and Jefford, who was promoting eco-tourism, recommended the pristine rainforests of Guyana as a destination.
Lewis, speaking on the platform of community-based tourism, suggested Santa Mission.
Barker, on her adventure tourism platform, promoted the Iwokrama Rainforest as the ideal spot while            Wilson, from her Staycation base, preferred tourists visit Kaieteur Falls, Baganara Resort and Number 63 beach.
Babb, advocating for aqua-tourism noted that youths should be educated about it and Paul, with a preference for cultural tourism, said there should be more fashion shows and art festivals.
The final question was just as interesting as the answers. It went like this: “Legend has it that, centuries ago, a man was banished on the moon. Hence the phrase ‘the man in the moon’. If the man in the moon landed in your backyard, what would you do to entertain him?”
Jefford said she would put him to sit down, cook him a scrumptious dinner and ask him about his life on the moon.
Lewis said she hoped the man would land around Jamzone time and she would take him to experience all the nice things that the show has to offer.
While Wilson said she would give him a natural experience in her backyard, the audience laughed very loudly but her answer sounded like she would cook him cultural dishes and show how culture is worthy of celebrating.
Notably absent for the occasion was last year’s Miss Jamzone Queen, Nikita Archer.
Apart from the $3M in prizes, the 2011 Queen will also be eligible to represent Guyana in the Miss Guyana Caribbean Queen Pageant and the Miss Jamzone International Pageant.