Deon P. Green, Gleaner correspondent

All smiles from left-right: first runner-up Melanie Robinson shares the spotlight with Miss Jamaica UK, Danielle Dixon and second runner-up, Natalie Wright. - photo by Deon Green

Medical student 22-year-old Danielle Dixon, who left Portland for England in 1999, captured the Miss Jamaica United Kingdom title from a field of 14 contestants at the 18th staging of the contest at the Camden Centre in Central London, on October 27.

First runner-up to the queen went to Melaine Robinson, born in England of parents originating from St. Thomas while second runner-up was Natalie Wright, British national of Jamaican parents from Clarendon.

Miss Dixon, who attended the Ursuline High School in Wimbledon, became the head of the school's sixth form shortly after her arrival from Jamaica. She has just completed her third year of medical studies at the Imperial College of London.

Speaking with The Gleaner after winning the title, she said she initially intends to promote Jamaica culturally at her university and then through universities across Britain so that a positive image of the island will be known and accepted. "I am a part of the Jamaica diaspora and I am planning to promote a better awareness of Jamaican throughout the United Kingdom by working through the diaspora", she added.

Organiser of the event, June Daley, said that Miss Jamaica U.K. will be involved in many activities during the year focusing on the promotion of Jamaican diversity. Among the activities for the queen is, 'Faces of Miss Universe' in Egypt in June next year.

Ms. Daley expressed satisfaction with the success of the pageant and the high level of interest shown in the large attendance. She thanked sponsors who included The Gleaner/Voice Group, Jamaica National, Lufter Products and Grace Foods.