By Jairo Rodrigues
Jamzone Summer Break is just around the corner and Jovan Krystal Wilson, who appeared as the observing judge on GT&T’s Feel the Beat Dance Competition, and is the reigning Ms Guyana-Jamzone is just about ready to give up her crown.
This beauty queen is not just about pageantry and tourism, but brains and wit as well.
She now resides in New Amsterdam, Berbice, but was actually born in Georgetown where she grew up with her mother and younger brother in Kingston until the age of ten. Her mother then migrated to the British Virgin Islands (BVI) in search for better opportunities, leaving Jovan and her brother to move with their aunt in the ‘Ancient County’.
“As opposed to before when I was a bit lonely, my subsequent years were enriched by memories of an extended family, one reminiscent of breezy country side afternoons and constant singing competitions as we went about doing our daily chores,” she said.
During her time in the capital, Jovan attended Sacred Heart Primary School, and transferred to St Therese’s Primary in New Amsterdam, where she wrote the Secondary School Entrance Examinations (SSEE) and successfully gained a spot at the New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary. She describes her school days as, “most defining, bringing alive talents and interests [like] poetry, pageantry and dance that I never knew I had.”
After earning 10 subject passes at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate exams and a Diploma in Computer studies at the Adult Education Association, she left for the BVI to pursue an Associate degree in Tourism and Hospitality at the H Lavity Stoutt Community College. Gaining spots on President’s list and the Dean’s list were some merits enjoyed due to her dedication to education. She was an active member of the college’s Hospitality and Drama clubs due to her genuine interest in tourism and theatre arts. Other than being Ms Jamzone and her involvement with GT&T’s Feel the Beat, she is not currently employed. She is however exploring occupational grounds in Guyana’s tourism industry.
In addition, she is working on becoming an entrepreneur in the women’s footwear arena. In her spare time she enjoys writing poetry, fishing and working towards bringing a smile on the faces of the less fortunate.
When asked about her social life she said that she is definitely an extrovert who enjoys the years of her youth. “I have great family and friends and two wonderful God-kids and we love engaging in activities that strengthen our relationships, whether it’s just over a game of Pekino or ladies night out at the Edge. Despite this, most times I’d simply rather enjoy the company of my boyfriend,” she said.
As a little girl growing up she had a fanatical interest in pageantry but it wasn’t until 2006, after secondary school that she decided to take a shot at it.
“Pageantry is an arena to live out childhood dreams, expose your inner beauty, knowledge and abilities and strive for societal and self-development. This is an interest often misperceived and underestimated by onlookers but also one that boasts surprising merits to the genuine contenders,” Jovan said.
“Pageantry gave me a voice and a platform to sharpen my interpersonal skills, be an advocate for what I am most passionate about. [It] increased my self-confidence and I had to rethink what I had envisaged my future years to be. I always say: doing what you love is one thing, but being embraced and supported by loved ones but more astoundingly by strangers, liberates you to a level of gratitude and fuels your motivation. Love and support inspires, and I’ve continuously seen and felt this throughout my pageantry years.”
Before she took the plunger, Jovan said, she was an introverted young woman who was unaware of her earthly talents.
When asked what sparked the motion to enter the Ms Jamzone-Guyana Pageant she replied, “Miss Jamzone-Guyana was a must for me! It appealed to my genuine interest in pageantry and my hunger to educate myself and the welcoming public about the richness of our tourism package. The Amazon Adventure meets a unique culturally diverse people! I also saw the monetary and publicity merits as an investment in my future career goals.” She said that being on stage brings that adrenaline rush she enjoys while exhibiting her love for poetry and the honour of promoting the pristine tourism our country. “Pageantry integrates us and pageantry celebrates us, so to every young woman with a genuine interest in pageants I implore you to enter and enjoy the splendour,” she said. “Besides, the queenly prizes and treatment are always such a pleasure to indulge in.”
Jovan said her win opened a world of endless possibilities. She said it was a privilege to represent Guyana at the Miss Jaycees Queen show in Antigua where she gained a wealth of information about our neighbour’s cultures and the international stage. She has also made various public appearances, been featured on television shows and graced the catwalk of many high-end fashion shows. She is also an advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness and has judged various pageants and chaperoned a few queens. But perhaps the most memorable and heartfelt experience she had as Jamzone Queen was using her image to raise funds for a special little girl in need of funding for a brain tumour operation. “That was by far my most unforgettable moment throughout this entire year as that little girl will always be a blessing to my heart,” she said. The child subsequently passed away.
Jovan is also in the process of founding “The ladies of SASS Guyana”. SASS which is an acronym for Smart Ambitious Strong and Successful is a non- profit, all-women organization originally based in the BVI that provides mentorship to young people with special emphasis on young women. They dedicate their services to the development of communities, raise funds for worthwhile areas of need, charity and any cause that coincides with the values of the Ladies of SASS.
Jovan said: “Guyana has not seen the last of me. Even after my reign I plan to continue to bring inspiration to myself and others.”
When asked how she plans to promote pageantry on a national stage and maybe even to push Guyanese culture on the more regional scene, she answered, “I am a beauty and tourism ambassador and with pageantry as my foundation I am able to promote Guyana and its dynamism! An ideal tourist destination where a unique cultural heritage meets magnificent natural attractions that bring unforgettable memories! I would also proudly educate others about Guyana’s path to a low carbon economy which is continuously bringing investments to our country.”
Jovan said life and its unraveling beauty in itself is a motivation coupled with the supportive public especially her boyfriend, family and friends and her never-ending genuine interest in this field. When asked where she draws her inspiration from she said, “Love inspires me and the warmth that comes in knowing that as I let my light shine, I am automatically illuminating the way for others to do the same. More recently, the late Zeneiha Loo brought me utmost encouragement, by embodying the level strength, peace and tranquility I hope to one day achieve.”
Touching on her judging experience at the Feel the Beat Dance competition she said that it was definitely a refreshing venture for her. “It was uplifting to see the wealth of talent that Guyanese dancers have and most inspiring, to rise along this growing journey with them. Throughout the duration of this competition I felt connected to all of them because as young people we share one common goal; to do what we love most and be supported.” She continued to say that by now we all realize that there’s more to a dancer than technique. Being able to take directions and advice well, connecting to your crowd and exemplifying humility are key. “I was placed there as an analytic judge, and if given the opportunity for a do over, I would change nothing about my input,” she added.
Jovan mentioned that Feel the Beat is the perfect stage to get the youths off the streets. “All these dancers were given the perfect platform to exhibit the true essence of talent that arises from Guyana’s soil. On behalf of the dancers, the receiving public and I, enough thanks cannot be given to GT&T and Hits & Jams for such a venture. Feel the Beat has given the youths an alternative out of the social ills plaguing our society today.
A famous Shakespeare quote says ‘All the world’s a stage and all the men and women merely players; they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his act being seven stages.’ We are all born with purpose and talent and it is very rare that opportunities like these present themselves,” she noted.
She continued to emphasize that Feel the beat presented the stage for our dancers to live out their dreams. “We are keeping my generation off the streets and celebrating their talents. This is something we all ought to be proud of!”
In the future she sees herself being certified with a Master’s Degree in Tourism and Hospitality with the future career goal of becoming Guyana’s Tourism Ambassador. She is confident too that her prospective business “Krystal’s Kouture Shoe Store” and SASS will succeed as projected. “I aim to be more spiritually grounded and more than likely my pageantry journey will lead me to other national and international titles,” she added.
In parting Ms. Jamzone-Guyana advises all readers, “Be star of your own life. Walk on your own red carpet!” In other words, love yourself, show love to others and proudly play your part in life by reflecting outmost individuality and purpose.
