Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter

It was a 'revival' beginning for the girls, who entered the Little Miss Jamaica Caribbean and Miss Tiny Tot Jamaica Caribbean competitions, held at the Courtleigh Auditorium, New Kingston, on Sunday night.

Starting the show by doing a revival dance to Marvia Providence's Hear My Cry and Sing Praises, the girls spun, dipped and waved. Though the 'Tiny Tots' were between five and eight years old, they were not overshadowed by their older counterparts in the Little Miss competition.

The girls went through a six-week summer camp with Champs Modelling Agency, where they were tutored in art and craft, the performing arts, social graces and etiquette.

When the girls modelled fashion pieces, some using tennis rackets as props, they received thunderous applause.

Most talented

For their talent pieces, the Little Miss contestants danced, sang and recited poems. The most memorable performer was Trishanae McLeod, who danced to Calabria 2007 by Enur, and Natasja and RDX's Dancers Boom. However, the most talented trophy was given to Jae-Ann Smith, who sang You Raised Me Up.

The Tiny Tot contestants had some of the best talent pieces but two contestants, Dujrawna Lindo and Seychelle Doyley, became crowd favourites after their stunning acting performances. Lindo, who was rather expressive, was awarded Most Talented ahead of Doyley, who thrilled the audience with her rendition of Miss Lou's No Lickle Twang.

After they modelled in their beautiful 'Sunday best', the contestants answered questions posed by the judges.

Later, they joined guest artiste Roy Rayon, multiple festival song competition winner, during his lively performance. He sang Bob Marley classics such as Three Little Birds and One Love. He also performed his older festival songs, Fever and Give Thanks and Praises. During this year's winner, Rise and Shine, Rayon was energetic, but the audience's attention shifted from him to the girls, who were doing popular dance moves in the background.

Context clues

Before the announcement of the winners, host Paul Abrahams, who lacked clarity and forced audience members to use context clues when he spoke, lashed out at those with poor parenting skills. He was passionate when he spoke about the parents who carried their children to adult parties, saying they needed to be "hang".

Anjuii Barrett was crowned Miss Tiny Tot Jamaica Caribbean, Doyley placed second and Lindo was third. The other contestants were Marva-Marie Hall, Cavell Anderson, Jamelia Grant, Mikiko Wan and Keizinae Abrahams.

Moesha Mogg won the Little Miss Jamaica Caribbean, Jae-Ann Smith was second and Trishanae McLeod was third. The other participants in the competition were Shenelle Gardener, Romae Abrahams, Tash-Anna Henry, Tassanie Graham, Shanice Black, Toni Grant and Tashoiah Mantock.