King’s County Hospital, Brooklyn, New York, welcomed a baby girl on Christmas morning of 1997 named Tya Jané Ramey. A couple of months later, her mother returned to Trinidad and Tobago, and with the vibrant community of Five Rivers, raised a beautiful all-rounded and eloquent young woman that is today our Miss World Trinidad and Tobago Representative.
The now 21-year-old beauty queen is a past student of Bishop Anstey High School East who worked her way to represent her peers as valedictorian of the 2015 class. She started her pre-tertiary education at UWI Open Campus, finishing a year later with a Certificate in Social Work. Today, the five-year national athlete continues to play volleyball and added basketball to her scope during her three years as a Social Work and Social Policy Minor student, at UWI St Augustine. Tya Jané continues to use her creative niche, through dance and music, specifically the saxophone, in her personal expression. Her passion includes, but are not limited to, community work and assisting children to reach their full potential. Something that you may not know about her from first glance is that she likes barbering, and started a course in her community, to learn how to trim and fade hair.
How does it feel to be crowned Miss World TT?
It’s surreal! It is a dream come true. I must admit that it only truly registered the morning after the crowning. I woke up, walked to the kitchen and was shocked at the bouquet of flowers sitting in a jar of water, with my sash, trophy and crown at its side. The reality of it all, broke my composure and I basked in the tears of joy that flowed right after. My 15-minute morning meditation was extended to almost an hour. I had so much to reflect on and to be thankful for. I feel so grateful to have shared the six-week developmental journey with nine beautiful and talented sisters. I am thankful that my hard work and efforts have been recognised and that God has granted me favour of not only the judges, but the people of Trinidad and Tobago.
Why do you think people have a negative image of pageantry?
I understand why people would think of it as a cattle show. We have seen where physical features were the main factors of consideration in determining the winners of pageants. Each country or community may have their idiosyncratic idea of what perfect feminine qualities should look like, and women may have once desired and tried to fit into those unrealistic ideals. I am happy to say that we have evolved from that myopic approach, and have transcended the notions of pageantry from just being about vanity. The Miss World competition has sought to create a platform that truly represents the twenty-first century woman. It encompasses talent, fitness, patriotism, and beauty that goes beyond the surface and it facilitates the concept that women play an active role in society and are the front-runners for social change, represented in the form of Miss World’s ‘Beauty With a Purpose’ theme.
What have you learnt in preparing for the Miss World TT competition?
I expected to gain certain things when I advanced to the top 10 of the pageant; I predicted that I would have learnt how to walk like a pageant queen, the art of communication and perhaps etiquette. I didn’t anticipate the personal unveiling and intimate sharing that took place. Training with richard Young, an expert in the industry, proved to be one of the most edifying experiences during this journey. It challenged us (the contestants) to collectively tap into the concept of self and to excavate our appreciation of our Caribbean identity through storytelling; the convergence of content and form. This skill is not only going to allow me to reflect Trinidad and Tobago in the conversations I have, but may give me a unique and competitive edge at the international competition.
What is your ultimate goal or biggest dream for your future?
Throughout my life, God has been revealing to me my purpose on this earth - To serve. Synonymous to the sinks and grooves of a key that is uniquely cut for a lock, so too were the circumstances of my life serendipitous and they manifested in a way that has led me to where I am today. The family I was born into, the community in which I was raised, the trauma which I experienced and the victories that I have won, were all intentional. My prayer is that I would fulfil God’s plan for my life, by creating an impact on the lives of others so that they might find restoration and empowerment.
What are you looking forward to the most in representing Trinidad and Tobago on the international stage?
I am astonished at the stark personal development that has occurred in only six weeks. This pageant has challenged me to be the best version of myself and has shaped my holistic becoming. I could only imagine the growth that would take place in the next couple of months, and when I get to Thailand. Above all, this platform complements well with my passion for Social Work and Social Policy, and I am excited to be a part of helping to restore lives through my ‘Beauty With a Purpose’ project, and most importantly, showing the world what amazing things Trinidad and Tobago has to offer.