Alisha Julie-Ann Morgan, Miss Jamaica Festival Queen 2007. - Winston Sill/ Freelance Photographer

Jamaica has much to celebrate as we mark yet another year of independence. Our rich heritage and culture will be on everyone's lips today as national festival activities climax with special events across the island.

One of the annual activities that has stood the test of time is the Festival Queen contest. Since its inception, a young woman is selected to be the island's cultural ambassador at home and abroad. These women enter the contest armed with a wealth of knowledge about: the arts, political and social topics, cuisine, influential women as well as their own community involvement. Contestants must also be prepared to showcase their talents in dance, music or the spoken word.

The contest has, for many winners, been the springboard that launched their careers and given them a vehicle to continue to serve their country. Today Flair looks at the impact of the contest for former festival queens.

How it all began

In 1962, Jamaica, newly independent, crowned the most beautiful girl in the island, Miss Jamaica. However, there were no losers; the first runner-up was named Miss Independence and second runner-up was crowned Miss Festival.

However, by 1975, there was a shift in focus and the title changed from Miss Jamaica to National Festival Queen. The new queen would be judged on her community involvement, cultural awareness and overall personality. The fist queen crowned under these new criteria was Lydia Malcom. But whatever the title, to Flair, they are all queens.