CONGRATS: Chantal Zaky is Miss Universe Jamaica 2012 (PHOTOS)

Crowd favorite, Chantal Zaky walked away with the coveted title of Miss Universe Jamaica 2012!

Chantal Zaky was crowned Miss Universe Jamaica 2012 last Saturday night at this year’s staging of the Miss Universe Jamaica pageant at the National Indoor Sports Centre in St. Andrew. The 24-year-old Portland beauty emerged the winner from a pool of 16 contestants.

Miss Universe Jamaica 2011, Shakira Martin, made her final walk while guest of honor, reigning Miss Universe, Angola’s Leila Lopes appeared on the Jamaican stage to award the winners.

Second runner up went to Sherece Cowan, first runner up was awarded to Racquel Jones and Chantal Zaky was crowned Miss Universe Jamaica 2012.

Additional prizes were awarded to Sonya Stewart for most congenial, the public vote went to Sherece Cowan, best body to Chantal Zaky and Allyson Gayle was prized most aware.

Owner of the pageant franchise Dimitri Kosvogiannis said that Zaky embodied what the competition was about.

“We are marking new territory for Miss Universe in Jamaica. We have a wonderful queen and I know she will do very well. We look forward to raising the bar even more next year,” he told The Gleaner.

He went on to say that the franchise is focused on bringing Jamaica to the forefront and as a result, they decided to invite the reigning Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes to the island.

“It was an important step, in my opinion, to bring her here so we can give the pageant the value it deserves,” he said

“I’m feeling great. I’m so honoured. It’s a privilege. It’s a huge year and I couldn’t be more excited. I’m so happy, I can’t even find the words,” Zaky said of her win.

View photos of Jamaica’s beautiful Miss Universe 2012 delegate below: