In a vibrant coronation ceremony held last Saturday evening, Kelsie Spaulding, a first-year Integrated Marketing Communications student, was crowned Miss George Alleyne Hall 2026. The event, hosted on the hall’s grounds at the University of the West Indies (Mona), featured seven accomplished contestants vying for the prestigious title and the opportunity to advance to the broader Miss UWI (Mona) pageant.
A graduate of Ardenne High School, Spaulding intends to leverage her new platform to significantly expand the reach of ‘Her Space,’ her dedicated passion project. This initiative focuses on fostering healing, education, and resilience among school-aged children through artistic mentorship. ‘I mentor young girls, teaching them how to use art for mental wellness,’ Spaulding explained to Observer Online immediately following her victory. She expressed being ‘elated, grateful, and excited’ for the upcoming year, attributing her success to a strong support system and divine blessing.
The competition proved intensely competitive. Lesheka Hodge, a management studies major from Antigua and Barbuda, secured the position of first runner-up, while Katia Anglin earned the title of second runner-up. Both competitors highlighted the profound sense of sisterhood and personal growth cultivated throughout the rigorous pageant process. Hodge, who also won the sectional prizes for Best Creative Piece, Best Talent, and Miss Congeniality, stated the experience was exactly what she sought. Anglin, a History and International Relations student, fought back tears of pride for herself and her fellow contestants.
Additional awards were distributed to recognize specific talents and qualities. Talia Small from Barbados was honored as Most Poised. The newly crowned queen, Spaulding, also collected the Living Gem Award, along with titles for Most Aware, Most Confident, and Most Popular on Social Media, solidifying a standout performance.