Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

The queen, Brittany Lyons takes her victory walk. - Winston Sill

There was a staid response from some persons in the Hilton Kingston hotel ballroom last Saturday night as 19-year-old Brittany Lyons was announced as the new Miss Jamaica World.

With a fairly loud and large crowd support, Lyons was an obvious favourite from the onset but as the night proceeded persons such as Chakka Laguerre and Raecine Williams also earned some support from the packed audience.

At the end of the night, the princesses were; Marsha-Gay Reynolds who earned the second runner-up position and Jade Grant, earned first runner-up. After the competition there were those who shouted 'robbery' among other things.

However, when the STAR caught up with the new queen she was happy and excited, as tears shone in her eyes when she hugged her mother Marie-Claire Lyons, who placed second in the 1980 Miss Jamaica World contest.

'I am just so overwhelmed'

The 2008 queen said, "I just really and truly couldn't believe. I thought they were wrong when they announced it, I am just so overwhelmed."

The young Lyon cites her mother and family as huge inspirations in her entering the competition and has high hopes for her reign. She does not yet have a clear plan for the year, but says she wants to follow in the footsteps of the 2007 queen Yendi Phillipps by working with children.

She commented, "I want to make as many positive changes as possible, following in Yendi's footsteps I am overwhelmed to follow Yendi. She's someone's I've known a long time."

A tearful Yendi Phillipps

A tearful Yendi Phillipps gave up her crown as the emcee Adrian Atkinson noted that Yendi is one of the most accomplished queens the competition has produced in a long time.

Yendi got an extensive interview about her plans and her career path as the new Rising Stars host. Before that, the ladies paraded on stage in gold bikinis, with Chakka Laguerre, Lyons and Yanique Levy the obvious crowd favourites from the onset.

Performances for the night included: dances from the Stella Maris troupe, singer and poet Angel as well as the group 'Soul 4 Soul' from Montego Bay. The ladies modelled spectacular numbers from Neah Lis as well as the usual sparkles and daring cuts from Uzuri International which provided the evening wear.

Answered horribly

The pageant had a brief pause to honour long standing pageant supporter Alvin Campbell as well as pageant organiser Mickey Haughton-James, with this pageant possibly being his last.

Brittany Lyons copped the 'Beach Beauty' award, Monique Daley won the Soft Sheen Model title, Yanique Levy won the Miss Jamaica World Sports Award and Raecine Williams copped the 'Beauty with a Purpose' title. Each award automatically put them in the top ten.

In the question and answer segment most contestants answered horribly, with Chakka Laguerre and Sydonie McBane giving the best answers of the night, addressing the rising price in gas and the problems of poverty in Jamaica.