The parish of St James has officially selected its 2025 Festival Queen, marking the final addition to the line-up of remarkable young women set to compete in the national Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Competition.
On Sunday, June 29, 18-year-old law student Kadé-Jah Baker was crowned Miss St James Festival Queen after a spirited and closely contested competition held at the Iberostar Rose Hall Resort. Representing Miss B&S Shutter Care and More, Baker stood out among nine talented contestants to claim the coveted title. She also captured two sectional prizes: Most Active in the Community and Most Culturally Aware, affirming her strength as a well-rounded ambassador of culture and service.
The first runner-up title went to Annecia Gordon, Miss Escape to Exhale Day Spa, who was also awarded Most Poised. Gavandra Gray, representing the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), placed third and received the award for Most Active on Social Media.
Also finishing in the top five were Cheneice South, Miss United Finance Sales & Service, and Kalisa Francis, Miss Rosevale Jerk Centre. Another notable finalist was Isheika Richards, Miss Toney Ward Auto Service Centre, who walked away with sectional awards for Most Congenial and Best Performer.
Kadé-Jah Baker now joins an exceptional group of parish queens set to compete for the national title. These include Ashley-Nicole Lawrence representing Hanover, Fiona DaCosta for St Thomas, Brithney Clarke for Kingston and St Andrew, Rhaveen Kildare for Clarendon, Deneila Wright for Manchester, Dalian Watson for Trelawny, Deveta Bowling for St Ann, Jhenelle Small for Westmoreland, Afiya Birch-Gentles for St Catherine, Anya Graham for St Mary, Tianna Smith for Portland, and Samantha Barnett for St Elizabeth.
The 2025 Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Grand Coronation will take place on Saturday, August 2, at the National Indoor Sports Centre, located within the Independence Village at the National Stadium Complex in Kingston.
The Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Competition is proudly presented by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), with support from the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund, Airports Authority of Jamaica, National Housing Trust, HEART/NSTA Trust, Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), and Excelsior.
