Anthony Minott, Freelance Writer

Marsha Marie Campbell, Miss St Catherine Co-Op Credit Union Festival Queen 2008 (centre) is surrounded by (left) first runner-up Talsia Mendez and second runner-up Kedisha Williams at the coronation show, held at the Spanish Treasure hotel ballroom, Spanish Town last Sunday. - rudolph brown

A beautiful smile glowed from the face of Marsha Campbell after she was crowned The St Catherine Festival Queen 2008 at the Spanish Treasure Hotel in Spanish Town Sunday night.

"I was always confident of victory," Campbell said after the pageant. "At the beginning of the competition I just tried to remain focused, and tried to maintain the confidence level and it paid off," she added.

She said that her winning formula "is to put God first, plus self-confidence and you can achieve anything."

Victory to my family and friends

"I dedicate the victory to my family and friends, and to my Portmore people, they kept me going, they kept me smiling on stage," she said.

She also promised "to take home the (national) crown for St Catherine as it's quite a while we haven't received the crown."

"As a matter of fact I declare it now in God I trust I will come out on top for St Catherine," she said.

Campbell, the Portmore Queen, is the first parish winner from the sunshine city since 2004.

Talsia Mendez, wearing the sash Jamaica Energy Partners, took first runner-up position, while, another Portmore girl, Kedeisha Williams, Miss Ken's Wild Flower placed third.

Apart from winning the crown, Campbell walked away with two sectional prizes, including best performance and most culturally aware, while, Latoya Newell and Tomeica Dunn shared the most congenial award.

Documentation specialist

Campbell a 23 year-old documentation specialist is sponsored by Xclusive Beauty Salon, located in the Portmore Pines Plaza. She walked away with a cash award of $50,000 dollars courtesy of the main sponsors, St Catherine Co-operative Credit Union, a colour television set by Singer Jamaica Limited, a cell phone by Digicel and a gift basket by Softsheen Carson.

Campbell whose motto is: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me", will take a shot at history later this year when she tries to become the first St Catherine Queen to win Miss Jamaica Festival Queen in 18 years.

TV personality Dahlia Harris was the last winner from the parish in 1990.

The contestants were judged on cultural talent, evening wear and a question and answer segment, which was reserved for the top five.

Guest performer Richie Spice pelted lyrics from his songs Earth A Run Red, and The Plane Land.

Earlier, Independence City Primary trio of dancers, had the audience in awe during their performance of a piece dedicated to 'woman'.