Sixth-former Etana Williams crowned Miss St Thomas Festival Queen 2026

The parish of St Thomas erupted in celebration on Saturday, as 18-year-old Etana Williams was crowned Miss St Thomas Festival Queen 2026 at Colonel's Cove in Morant Bay. Williams, who wore the sash Miss Mike's Water Store, captivated judges and supporters alike, earning her not only the crown but also four of six sectional awards: Most Poised, Most Popular on Social Media, Most Active in the Community and Most Culturally Aware.

The evening also saw strong performances from the other contestants. Abiona Walker, Miss Bryford Rentals, was named first runner-up and received the Most Congenial award, while Shanique Creighton, Miss Baypoint Medical Laboratory, was named second runner-up and received the Best Talent award.

While the crown marks a significant achievement, the new queen made it clear that this milestone represents but one chapter in her life journey.

She revealed that her mother named her after Jamaican reggae singer Etana during a difficult pregnancy marked by repeated hospital visits and uncertainty about whether she would survive.

"During the period when my mom was pregnant with me, she was in and out of the hospital. Even when the doctors and nurses thought that I wouldn't make it, I did. During that time, she was listening to Etana's songs, and when she researched the meaning of the name – 'the strong one' – it just fell right in place with our story and the struggles she experienced during pregnancy."

The sixth-form student hopes to pursue a degree in energy and environmental physics at The University of the West Indies, Mona, before embarking on a career in public policy and national development. Her ultimate ambition is to serve as Jamaica's minister of energy. Closer to home, however, she is already making an impact through her work as a vacation Bible school and Sunday school teacher, helping to nurture the confidence, values and leadership potential of young people in her community.

That commitment to youth development is at the heart of her community project, Seeds of Change: Building Tomorrow Today, a four-week initiative designed to empower young people through environmental stewardship, literacy and cultural awareness.

The programme will engage students from Grants Pen Primary and Infant School, Yallahs Primary School, and Lyssons Primary School in workshops, tree-planting exercises, cultural presentations, and community outreach activities aimed at developing leadership skills, environmental awareness, and civic responsibility.

Williams hopes the project will inspire young people to become active changemakers in their communities while fostering a culture of service, sustainability and pride in Jamaican heritage.

“I hope to inspire the young people of St Thomas to become more actively engaged in their communities. As Miss St Thomas Festival Queen, I am committed to using this platform to advocate for volunteerism and to show young people that community involvement can open doors to growth, opportunity and lifelong experiences.”

The road to coronation was not without its challenges. Reflecting on the experience, Williams described the months leading up to the competition as a rollercoaster filled with long hours, self-doubt and personal growth.

“There were long hours and difficult nights when I felt like giving up, but the incredible support of my trainers, family and community kept me going. I am truly grateful to everyone who walked this journey with me,” she said.

Few people witnessed that journey more closely than her mother, Kedisha Riley. She was overcome with emotion as she watched her daughter receive her crown. “Etana had an unwavering belief in herself from the very beginning. She remained confident, and she boldly declared that she would return home with the crown,” shared Riley. 

Williams will represent St Thomas at the Miss Jamaica Festival Queen national finals. 

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