|
Lisa Hanna can aptly be called a legend. A high achiever, she has become a shinning symbol to all Jamaicans.
The beauty Jamaica sent to Sun City in South Africa, returned with the coveted Miss World crown and since then has been blazing a trail across the globe, making her countrymen tremendously proud.
After being crowned Miss Jamaica World in September 1993, much has happened which has permanently etched the name Lisa Hanna, on the minds of Jamaicans both here and in diverse places around the world.
Lisa has visited numerous countries, including Columbia, the Cayman Islands, Turkey, Mauritanus, Germany, Spain, Antigua, England, Scotland, South Africa, Israel,
Jerusalem, Iceland, Wales, and American cities New York and Chicago.
The whole experience she said has made her into a rounded person, although at times, it has been pressuring and quite hectic. According to Lisa, some of the demands of the job, she had not anticipated.
It has been almost a year of new and fascinating experiences, but one in particular stands out in her mind, the inauguration of Africa National Congress’s President Nelson Mandela as President of South Africa. The sheer historical significance of it, the importance and the thought that history was actually being created added to the appeal which stands out in Lisa’s mind.
Her duties as Miss World have been many and varied. Assisting in charity work, judging beauty contests, promoting for the Jamaica Tourist Board, promotional work in Sun City, South Africa and appearances on fashion shows, opening a branch of the McDonald’s Food Chain in Europe. These are just some of the functions she has been performing.
During the year, Lisa had the opportunity to carry out some of her stated objectives, one of which was being an excellent ambassador for Jamaica. In this context she has managed to extol the virtues of this “little but tallawah” island to all and sundry. In countries where negative perceptions existed, she sought to highlight the positives. Those who had little knowledge about the country she informed them.
To many people in a number of the countries she visited her skin colour was a novelty. “So how does it feel to be a black Miss World” is usually the first question asked by her interviewers across the globe. But the make-up artists went wild, as some have never worked with dark skin.
When one thinks of Lisa Hanna one thinks personality, charisma, achievement and success. After holding numerous leadership positions at Queens, topped off with the Head Girl title, she went on host the television programme Rappin’, and then soon the Miss Jamaica World and Miss World titles when she had barely turned eighteen.
One would ask what is the secret to her success. Her method, “expose yourself to music, the arts, etc. enjoy life and try all avenues opened to you which may lead to success.”
Speaking of avenues, does Lisa think there are enough for Jamaica’s youth to expose and develop their talents? No, to her, there are a lot of young people with an abundance of talent who have not been seen. They are everywhere in Jamaica, in little corners waiting to be discovered, she said.
She expressed the wish that more private sector companies would sponsor more youth development and activities.
With numerous credits now tucked firmly beneath her belt, what next for our Miss World? For the next year, in her own words, she will be up-grading herself intellectually, to improve herself financially in order to progress socially. In short, the beauty is making plans to attend University to study law. At this point, she is not sure which University she will be attending as several applications have gone out.
Her advice to Miss Jamaica aspirants is “be yourself and try not to imitate anyone. Give something to the contest, at the same time take something. When you have your opinions, air them, and take steps to make positive changes.”
As she passes on the crown to her successor, it is with fond thoughts of the past year and many “thank yous”.
Jamaicans she said have been very supportive. To them she says, “Thanks for having given me the chance to represent Jamaica. The growth, development and maturity I have experienced, would not have been possible at this stage, in such a short time, if I had not been chosen to represent Jamaica.”
To her successor she wishes for her, love, happiness and everything else that is positive. She urges her to be individualistic and to contribute something to society. ‘She can always call on me for advice”.
“Thanks to Mickey Haughton-James, and the Spartan Team, Mom, Dad and my sister and all my friends who supported me. “ But while Lisa’s reign as Miss Jamaica ends tonight, she remains the reigning Miss World and still has many weeks of glamour and adventure ahead of her before she relinquished her crown in Sun City, South Africa, where it all began last November.
|
