Brithney Clarke, the 28-year-old Governor General’s I Believe Initiative ambassador representing Kingston and St Andrew, has been crowned the Miss Jamaica Festival Queen for 2025.

The announcement of the young woman representing two parishes’ victory, against all other parish champions in the competition, was made on Saturday, August 2, at the Independence Village inside the National Stadium Complex.

The first runner up is Afiya Birch Gentles, Miss St. Catherine and the second runner up is Rhaveen Kildare, Miss Clarendon.

Copping the national trophy was one Clarke knew was possible, because of her poise, elegance and involvement in nation building.

After the announcement, she said the theme for the coronation competition this year, ‘Jamaican woman proud and bold’ speaks to the heart of who she is, and who all women in Jamaica should aspire to be.

“Unafraid, unapologetic, and simply claiming our space. I truly embody this and look forward to sharing with those willing to embark on a similar journey. I look forward to your support,” Clarke, who represented the two corporate area parishes, Kingston and St. Andrew, said.

Clarke, in a prerecorded video with the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), outlined that she is a believer in the power of consistency, and the Jamaican proverb “One one cocoa full basket” captures her journey over the years with intentional growth and the three Ps: “patience, purpose and perseverance”.

“I am not in pursuit of overnight success, but invested in meaningful progress, constantly reminding myself [that] one step, one effort [and] one cocoa at a time,” she said.

To many, Clarke represented “the epitome of queen, grace, poise and a strong Jamaican woman” as her fellow parish level competitor, Rasheeda Murphy wrote in an Instagram story post before the final competition took place.

In a congratulatory note on Instagram, Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness conferred special commendations to Clarke, noting that he got the opportunity to meet each contestant who was in line for the “most nationally significant event”, and “saw firsthand your courage, grace, passion, determination and love for Jamaica and the Jamaican culture”.