Marlene McPherson, Star Writer

Miss St Thomas Festival Queen 2008, Janique Thomas (centre) flanked by Kimone Harris (left), first runner-up, and Donna-Dean Telfer, second runner-up. - contributed

From a field of 10 contestants, Janique Thomas walked away with the coveted title of Miss St Thomas Festival Queen 2008.

In front of a large and receptive audience on Saturday night at the Colonel Cove, in Morant Bay, the 22-year-old nursing student of the University of the West Indies was also the recipient of two sectional prizes, most culturally aware and best performance.

In her cultural piece, she depicted an old woman reminiscing on the dances which transcended Jamaica's historic period, until now. When a young boy interjected and tried to test her on the moves, she took on his challenge. Her character was transformed to demonstrate the different genres of music, from kumina to present-day dancehall moves. The audience was wowed by her choreography, confidence and professionalism.

The second-place winner was 21-year-old Kimone Harris, a student of the Excelsior Community College. Her cultural presentation, 'Child Safety', an original dub piece, evoked much emotion to the point where she was literally in tears. This left the audience teary-eyed as well.

Donna-Dean Telfer, a language- arts teacher at the Seaforth High School, was second runner-up. She was voted most congenial.

Her cultural piece was one in which she impersonated a native Trinidadian, who discovered the rich cultural heritage of Jamaica, using puns on words which were uniquely Jamaican.

The coronation was truly phenomenal as two national queens were in attendance - Jaquiline Stultz, the first Miss St Thomas to be crowned national queen in 1986, and Alisha Morgan, the reigning national queen, who also represented St Thomas.

This year's show was a true reflection of the talent and skills of the young women of St Thomas.