Nine contestants are vying to be crowned the 2017 Miss St Catherine Festival Queen. The sashing ceremony, under the patronage of Mayor Norman Scott, was held at the Rodney Memorial at Emancipation Square in Spanish Town recently.

The aspirants, whose ages range from 18 to 24, are Murrishka Richie (Curves – Lasco Distributors), Krisann Stennett (Shalk Electronic Security), Yanique Edgar (NetCom Computer Solutions), Shannon Johnson (Municipality of Portmore), Mishaye Taylor (Farmer’s Jerk Centre), Ash-Monique Dawkins (St Catherine Municipal Corporation), Nibbian Morgan (Educom Cooperative Credit Union), Josselle Fisher (Jamaica Energy Partners) and Kaycia Stewart (Rodney’s Memorial).The mayor’s message was read by Councilor Patricia Harris on his behalf. In it, the contestants were lauded for being cultural ambassadors for the parish.“First, let me congratulate our ladies for taking on this challenge to represent the parish of St Catherine. As I always say, irrespective of the final outcome, the experience and knowledge you will gain over the next couple of months will definitely contribute to your holistic development in your respective fields,” read Harris.The contestants were serenaded by Reneive Fletcher, the second-place winner in the 2016 Jamaica Festival Song Competition. The coronation of the 2017 Miss St Catherine Festival Queen will be on Sunday, May 21.– Basil Walters