Police constable Sheneka Burke becomes Jamaica’s first Miss 30+ Jamaica

Police constable Sheneka Burke made pageant history in Jamaica on Saturday night by becoming the first woman crowned Miss 30+ Jamaica.

The inaugural competition took place at The Summit on Chelsea Avenue in Kingston. Nine women competed before an audience of pageant fans, family members, friends, colleagues and supporters. Contestants appeared in dance, Jamaican costume, swimwear, evening wear and talent segments.

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The pageant was created for modern, mature women who have had the beauty of experience to share with the world.

Nurse Shaneka Scott, 40, was named second runner-up. Teacher Rajivea Soman, 33, took the first runner-up title. The talent segment gave each contestant an opportunity to show her personality and abilities beyond the pageant’s focus on appearance.

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Sydonnie applied to the pageant totally unaware of her power and potential. But she was there to learn, and to deliver.

Founder Stephanie Elliott-Gunning said the event was created for “modern, mature women who have had the beauty of experience to share with the world.” She said the contestants’ stories and experiences formed an important part of the competition.

Elliott-Gunning highlighted Sydonnie Harper, a 37-year-old dental technician and breast cancer survivor who did not make the Top 5. The founder said Harper’s participation demonstrated strength, resilience and the possibility of new beginnings. “Miss Harper wasn’t a Top 5 contestant, but her story showed strength, resilience and that life continues once a woman has decided to come into her being,” she said.

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Miss Harper wasn’t a Top 5 contestant, but her story showed strength, resilience and that life continues once a woman has decided to come into her being.

Elliott-Gunning said the pageant offers women a chance to rediscover themselves and recognise that their best chapters may still lie ahead. She added that she regretted not having contestants in their 50s and older this year, but expected more women from those age groups to participate after seeing the event’s success.

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My only regret is that there were no women in their 50s and upwards in this year’s staging.