Miss Cumberland High School 2008, Jevine Bailey, is caught in the arms of Cassine Ashley, Mr Cumberland High 2008. - Anthony Minott photos

Cassine Ashley and Jevine Bailey won the Mr and Miss Cumberland crowns recently in an eventful pageant on the school grounds.

Cassine, who won four sectional prizes, including Most Congenial Male, Most Intelligent, Most Aware and Most Improved, beat Ainsley Trought and Javede Hoffstead into second and third spots. Hoffstead was adjudged the best dressed male contestant that night.

Jevine, who also took the Most Talented Female award, stopped a strong challenge from Tasha-Kay McDonald and Abagial Brown. However, first runner-up Tasha-Kay received four awards, including Best Dressed, Most Aware, Best Personality and Most Congenial Female.

The contest, which is geared at showcasing the students' talent and their overall development, was watched by a fair-sized audience, who cheered and screamed whenever their favourites hit the stage.

Portmore Mayor Keith Hinds and his wife were in attendance. The contestants were allowed to strut their stuff while displaying formal and casual wear. They were also allowed to perform a talent piece before being quizzed in a question and answer segment.

They were then judged based on their performances in these different sections.

Of the all the contestants, Tasha-Kay's dance to Bob Marley's Redemption Song, was the most inspiring. Clad in national colours, the petite dancer made a moving performance.

In between segments, the crowd was entertained by the dancing prowess of Dance Theatre Expressions, led by Orville Hall, a judge on MiPhone's 'Dancing Dynamites'.

Guest performances also came from the school's dynamic dancing trio which called themselves Vybzy Dancers.

At the end of the show, recording artiste Nanko pelted a couple of his hit songs, while local entertainers ambushed the stage in a lyrical battle.