Dwight Nelson, STAR Writer

Miss Clarendon Festival Queen, Whytney Kissoon (centre) is flanked by first runner-up Denise Patterson (left) and second runner-up Yashieka Jodiann Duncan. - Dwight Nelson photos

Twenty-one-year-old Whytney Charlene Kissoon, graduate of the Northern Caribbean University with an associate of arts degree in mass communications, is Miss Clarendon Festival Queen 2008.

It was a Sunday evening of laughter and excitement at the Hotel Versalles in May Pen as all eight contestants came out with talent pieces that gave the audience a belly full of laughter.

Kissoon's piece, a dialect called 'Talk Your Language' and that of runner-up Denise Patterson, dubbed 'The Interview' which featured a Jamaican woman being interviewed for the farmwork programme, had the audience in stitches.

Following the talent section, the eight contestants paraded in their evening wear and were all elegantly dressed for the occasion. The top five of Whytney Charlene Kissoon, Hercheallee Melonie Hill, Yashieka Duncan, Denise Patterson, and Sasha-Gay Simone Roache were then announced.

During the interview section when the top five contestants were asked questions, audience members vigorously supported their favourites. Not surprisingly, the top three women garnered most of the support.

The decision of the judges was met with thunderous applause when Kissoon whose philosophy is "a life spent with making mistakes is not only more honourable but more useful than a life spent doing nothing", received the prize for the most culturally aware and the crown.

The first runner-up was 19-year-old University of the West Indies student Denise Patterson, while 19-year-old Knox Community College student Yashieka Jodiann Duncan was judged second runner up.

The new Miss Clarendon Festival Queen told The STAR that "I am absolutely happy because the JCDC Festival Queen Competition is something I have followed over the years and now I am the champion of my parish, which will now give me the courage to put out my best for the grand show".

She added, "I am from the Effortville Community and I will commit myself to projects in my community during my reign as Clarendon Festival Queen".

Miss Clarendon Festival Queen, Whytney Kissoon poses after being crowned at the coronation, held at Hotel Versalles, May Pen, Clarendon, on Sunday.