THE GEMSWICK COMMUNITY in St. Philip has a queen. She is 18-year old Kimisha Browne, who competed as Ms. Turquoise in the inaugural Miss Penny-Gems, hosted by the Penny-Gems Cultural Club and held at the Princess Margaret Secondary School on Saturday night.

Before a vocal and supportive crowd Kimisha won with 747 points beating out Ms. Sapphire, Tinesha Hamlet who came fifth with 629. Ms. Emerald, Diandra Sargeant was fourth with 668 and she was also voted Most Improved while Ms. Amethyst, Kezia Cadogan was third with 676. Ms. Ruby, Moniquica Brathwaite was second with 693 and was also voted Ms. Punctual, Most Disciplined and Ms. Congeniality.

The new Ms. Penny-Gems was voted Ms. Photogenic and her Lester Welch designed gown was given the nod for Best Gown.

All the contestants except Ms. Ruby performed a dramatic piece. She opted to sing Emergency Room, by Barbadian superstar Rihanna.

The chief judge was former Ms. Barbados World Raquel Wilkinson who worked with the girls on choreography and presentation in the weeks leading up to the show. The other judges were Soca Artiste Keann Walters, Attorney-At-Law Lynette Eastmond and free-lance broadcaster Mark Anthony.

Also in attendance was MP for St. Philip South the Hon. Adriel Brathwaite. The MC was CBC Broadcaster Teshia Hinds.