By: Orville Wright
Lenore Folkes of Beaches Ocho Rios captured the crown for the first staging of the Miss Sandals/Beaches Ocho Rios on Sunday, January 12, at the Sandals Grande Riviera, Ocho Rios, St Ann. The emcees for the night were Natoya Carrol and Anton Birch.Eleven talented young ladies displayed courage on stage with only a few making slight errors. The girls were judged on knowledge of the Sandals and Beaches product, stage appearance and talent. The eleven girls from the Sandals/Beaches properties were: Anmarie Tennant, Natalia Wisdom, Theresa Batson, Agelle Kelly, Taneshia Howell, Simone Daley, Danielle Parkes and Samantha McPherson. The audience was entertained by several members of staff from the Sandals properties.Winner of the pageant Lenore Folkes, performed a fantastic original skit based on Jamaican lifestyle and promoting the Sandals brand. This piece got her supporters cheering. Also performing a great piece was Bernadine Brooks who did a creative dance piece. Lenore was one of the crowd’s favorite from the commencement of the show. Talent pieces that were done by the girls came from the areas of dance, singing and acting, which most did fairly well.After great talent was displayed on stage the sectional prizes were awarded. The ‘most aware’ award was given to Lenore Folkes, she also copped the prize for ‘most talented’. The ‘most congenial’ award went to La-Toya Brooks of Sandals Grande Riviera. When the top three were announced, screams could be heard from the crowd in support of their girl. Second runner-up was Bernadine Miller of Sandals Grande Riviera and first runner up, La-Toya Brooks also of Sandals Grande Riviera, the crowd at this point was very
on point and knew their winner, Lenore Folkes of Beaches Ocho Rios.Ian Spencer, regional public relations manager for Sandals and Beaches resorts made the presentations to the girls. Bernadine Brooks, second runner up received J$5,000 and a weekend for two at Sandals Grande, Ocho RiosLa-Toya Brooks, first runner up received J$10,000 and a flat screen television set. The winner Lenore Folkes took away $20,000 and airline tickets for two courtesy of Caribbean Airlines. Piece
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