Monique Prescott, Miss St. Catherine 2007

Twelve young women from the parish of St Catherine were fêted and presented to the public at a mayoral reception hosted by Mayor of St Catherine, Councillor Andrew Wheatley, on Thursday, April 17, at the Rodney Memorial in Spanish Town.

The 12 contestants, who were selected from the zones of Portmore, Spanish Town, Linstead and Old Harbour, comprising the parish of St Catherine introduced themselves, describing their ambitions and attributes to the audience.

Representing Portmore are Nikeda Lawrence, 25, Kedisha Williams, 24, and Marsha Campbell, 23, who is the winner of the competition in that zone. From within the Spanish Town zone, the contestants are Latoya Newell, 23, Kenisha Allen, 20 and Patricia Cooke, 20. Representing Old Harbour are Oneika Bogle, 18, Anika Esson, 22 and Talsia K. Mendez, 20 and from Linstead are Jhudae L. Henry, 20 Tomecia Gunn, 21 and Jheanelle Phipps, 21.

Mayor Wheatly, in addressing the contestants, encouraged them to reach beyond any perceived barriers they had and cited several powerful Jamaican women whom they should examine as role models. Wheatly also thanked the JCDC for "challenging the intellect of the women of St Catherine through the hosting of the pageant".

The contestants will compete for a chance to represent the parish at the national show on Sunday, May 4, at the coronation show scheduled to be held at the Spanish Treasure Hotel Ballroom.