“She wasn’t the brightest crayon in the box but she should have won” one post on facebook read last night after she was announced for the 5^th place; much to the disappointment of all of us. The post stood out in my thoughts last night as I drove home.

it was a similar thought I had but mine had grouped all the contestants who were in the top 5 after the first question and answer segment. Apart from the obvious language barrier that also Impacted our Jamaican contestant I thought the basic requirement/expectation with respect to intelligence was a bit low. I expected way more. 

Wait let me explain!

Or at least try to :)

Years ago when a potential queen answered a question the answer was nothing short of a composition. The delivery of the paragraph  had us listening keenly in silence and it would take us a few seconds into a minute to figure out If the contestant had appropriately answered the question inour opinion. We had quite a bit of information to dissect and discuss and often times it turned into a debate. in this competition, at the beginning of one of the question and answer segments the announcer informed that the contestants had to complete their answers before the sound of the bell. A bell I have yet to hear as not one contestant was heard trying to complete her answer even after the bell was rang. in one sentence we received our answer and it left plenty time to spare.

There as always been a stereotype as to which body type is considered eligible to enter such pageants and I cant help but wonder If too much time is spent on daily beauty routines, diet and workout programs, dental work to achieve that perfect smile and coaching on personality and how to walk and talk and play the part rather than basic intelligence? Was any time spent on possible questions and answers? in my thoughts some questions should have been expected and an answer studied as If it was for the purpose of passing an examination.

While I sat in the comforts of that restaurant I was afforded something Miss Fennel and all the other contestants didn’t have which placed me at an advantage. I had the luxury of time with the opportunity to harbour all these thoughts and more. Yes I think full figured women should become eligible for these competitons, Yes I think, yes I think.. aww I could think all sort of things while I watched the television screen occassionally sipping my mocha. Kaci was under the spot light and she did her best to keep it together and deliver as much as she could under the Immense pressure she was under. Even with adequate preparation for possible questions and answers, with that much pressure it is not easy to hold it together with the nerves shaking. A question spoken in English with an accent did not help her to get an adequate grasp of what was being asked and she answered the best way she could have. The other contestants had an advantage as they answered their questions in parts YET THEY DID NOT DELIVER. I really don’t know how she managed to stay composed and through it all her grace and humility shun.

Half Way Tree was blocked last night and it gave me goose bumps. Once again persons left the comfort of their home to stand in the streets and join hands. AS JAMAICANS WE KNOW HOW TO ROLL OUT AND WHEN WE DO THE REST OF THE WORLD CANT HELP BUT JOin US. Let us continue to support each other as always. As we go over the Ifs' maybes, she could have or maybe If she said this or that.... let us remember one thing that is Important Kaci Fennel did us proud. She represented us well last night and for me she is the winner.

So Kaci doesnt need to fit in with the other crayons in the box. We tell our own kids to "think outside the box" all the time. it is the need to fit in the box that significantly limt our ablility to be sucessful in our goals.  She is unique and has her own set of skills and abilities. Throughtout the entire competition she delivered in all areas.  She managed to do something many of us could not do and for her hardwork we must not try to cast any shadow over her efforts on one hand yet applaud her on the next. Let us put the entire competition under the microscope and give her a fair judgement and If you think otherwise check out how the rest of the contestants celebrated her at the end of the competition. Kaci rocked her "Short hair dont care" with confidence among real brazilian, malaysian and chinese hair and it took nothing from her presentation.

I said it before “ Kaci you are a star” and last night your star shone the brightest and in all fairness you should have won. 

CONGRATULATIONS YOU DID JAMAICA VERY PROUD.