Miss St Thomas Festival Queen champions civic pride

Newly crowned Miss St Thomas Festival Queen 2025, Fiona Dacosta, plans to embark on a mission to spark national pride and civic awareness among the youth.

The 27-year-old, who has a Bachelor of Law degree, has stated her intention to roll out a parish project titled, 'Know Your Constitutional Rights and Embrace Your Civic Responsibilities'.

Targeting high school students and young adults in rural areas, Dacosta will hit the road with school visits and community forums aimed at educating young Jamaicans about their rights and responsibilities as citizens, while promoting national pride.

"In many cases, rights and responsibilities are seen in isolation," she said. "But they go hand in hand. We can't build a better Jamaica without informed citizens who know not only what they deserve, but how they can give back."

Dacosta was crowned Miss St Thomas Festival Queen 2025 during a glittering showcase at Colonel Cove in Morant Bay on May 31. Narekah Baker took second place, and Akalia Moore placed third.

The crowning of Miss St Thomas Festival Queen 2025 marked the kickoff of the JCDC's islandwide parish coronation series, which will culminate with the Miss Jamaica Festival Queen National Coronation on August 2 at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston.

The Festival Queen competition has long held meaning for Dacosta. For her, the pageant is more than just a contest, it's a platform for personal growth, civic engagement, and cultural preservation.

"It nurtures talent, builds confidence, and encourages young women to give back," she said.

"That's why I entered - because I believe in using every opportunity to uplift others."