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<p>Nineteen-year-old Montego Bay resident Iana Tickle Garcia was crowned Miss Universe Jamaica 2019 at a glittering coronation show inside the National Arena in the wee hours of Sunday morning (Sept 1).</p>
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<p>Tickle
Garcia was one of the crowd favourites going into the finals. She won from a
field of 18 contestants.</p>
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<p>“I’m feeling so ecstatic, excited and happy right now,” she told this reporter shortly after her crowning. The new queen wants to take on issues affecting the youth during her reign.</p>
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<p>“I want the youth to get more involved in the Jamaican society and contribute to the country. They feel as if they are voiceless, but they can make a difference,” said Tickle Garcia.</p>
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<p>Manchester-based farmer, 25-year-old Toni Ann Laylor, finished in second place while 20-year-old University of the West Indies student Sian Graham Connelly (pronounced Shawn) was third.&nbsp;Completing the top six were Police Officer, Sasha Henry, Aiysha Hemmings and Chevonne Beadle.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/miss-universe-jamaica-1024x785.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-6800" /><figcaption>From left: Sian Connelly 3rd place winner; Iana Tickle Garcia, the New Miss Uiverse Jamaica 2019; and 2nd place winner Toni Ann Laylor&nbsp;</figcaption></figure>
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<p>Jenelle
Baldie, Leah Hollingsworth, Imani Jenkins and Umeko Chin made it into the Top
10.</p>
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<p>Opening with a spectacular number performed by Gem Myers, the showcase featured dancers who pranced around the stage with glee. After the girls introduced themselves, the Top 10 was announced.&nbsp;Elton Earlington, the 2016 winner of Digicel Rising Stars entertained just before the start of the Express Fitness Dermoth Williams Swimwear parade.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/gyptian-miss-jamaica-universe-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-6814" /><figcaption>Recording artiste Gyptian performing during the show.</figcaption></figure>
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<p>The evening wear segment preceded the personality interview with the top 10  before Myers took the stage to deliver a rousing rendition of Jennifer Holliday’s<strong> And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going</strong>.</p>
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<p>Singer Alaine and Gyptian also comprised the evening’s entertainment delights. After the gruelling interview segment with the Top 6, the number was reduced to a Top 3.</p>
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<p><strong>See our gallery of the night's performances.</strong></p>
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<ul class="wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped"><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/Alaine-1024x683.jpg" alt="" data-id="6829" data-link="https://buzz-caribbean.com/article/miss-universe-jamaica-wants-to-tackle-issues-facing-youth/alaine/" class="wp-image-6829" /><figcaption>Alaine performing at the pageant show.</figcaption></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/elton-earlington-1024x683.jpg" alt="" data-id="6830" data-link="https://buzz-caribbean.com/article/miss-universe-jamaica-wants-to-tackle-issues-facing-youth/elton-earlington/" class="wp-image-6830" /><figcaption>Elton Earlington</figcaption></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/gem-myers-and-dancers-1024x683.jpg" alt="" data-id="6831" data-link="https://buzz-caribbean.com/article/miss-universe-jamaica-wants-to-tackle-issues-facing-youth/gem-myers-and-dancers/" class="wp-image-6831" /><figcaption>Gem Myers and her dancers in performace</figcaption></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/gem-myers-1024x683.jpg" alt="" data-id="6832" data-link="https://buzz-caribbean.com/article/miss-universe-jamaica-wants-to-tackle-issues-facing-youth/gem-myers/" class="wp-image-6832" /><figcaption>Gem Myers</figcaption></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/Terri-Karelle-Reid-and-Joel-Nomdarkham-1024x683.jpg" alt="" data-id="6833" data-link="https://buzz-caribbean.com/article/miss-universe-jamaica-wants-to-tackle-issues-facing-youth/terri-karelle-reid-and-joel-nomdarkham/" class="wp-image-6833" /><figcaption>Hosts Terri Karelle-Reid and Joel Nomdarkham</figcaption></figure></li></ul>
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<p><strong>Sectional prize winners were:</strong></p>
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<ul><li>Congeniality – Toni Ann Laylor</li><li>Best in Swimwear – Imani Jenkins</li><li>People’s Choice, Altruism Award and Essence of Style Award – Sasha Henry</li><li>Photogenic Award – Umeko Chin</li><li>Best in Evening Gown Award – Iana Tickle Garcia</li></ul>
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<p>Tickle Garcia won a prize package, including JA$300,000 in cash.&nbsp; She will represent Jamaica at the Miss Universe pageant.</p>
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<p><strong>See our gallery of the evening's proceedings: </strong></p>
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