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Young women and girls need positive role models, and the newly crowned Miss Jamaica 2008, Brittany Lyons, and already began to serve in that capacity and is looking ahead for the challenges to come.

Brittany is proud to say she’s fulfilled one of her many dreams to earn that pageant title. A fun-loving, outdoor girl with an admitted “type A” personality, Brittany enjoys designing, drawing/sketching and swimming in her spare time. But she’s put relaxation on hold for the opportunity to serve as Miss Jamaica, championing the official causes of her title, while traveling both here and abroad as an advocate for charitable organizations and a goodwill ambassador for the Miss Jamaica Organization.

Before all that, Brittany Lyons will proudly represent Jamaica at the Miss World finals in Johannesburg, South Africa.

We first met Brittany, in person, she is warming, sincere, gracious, and loves to kid around and giggle. But she also knows when it is time to work.

She was just beaming when she made it to top 5 on the night of the winning Miss Jamaica; however, she explained how surprised she was when they announced her as the new Miss Jamaica. She gracefully stated that her Mother Marie Clare Lyons, was the second runner-up in the Miss Jamaica contest in 1980, was her first influence and thanked her friends and family for the vast amount of support and encouragement she received.

She spoke of her family with pride, "We were and still is a very close knitted family. My father's side actually lives in Florida so I didn't see them as much but we are extremely close. One of my favorite childhood memories with my family is every summer we all would go to San San beach in Port Antonio. Those were really happy and fun times. After winning the title, I have not really gotten a chance to celebrate with my family but I guess in time".

There isn't anything bad to say about Brittany as she truly came across as down right cool and friendly so we had to ask her what in her option are her flaws.

"I can be very nagging at times and oh, I got my nose from my mother and I really don't like it (laughing). My friends would tell me however that if I had another nose it would not have fit my face."

"People would see me and think I’m uptight or un-approachable but that isn't that case. I am very laid back and sociable. I would like for Jamaica and the world to see me in the light that I have a very outstanding personality and very fun to be around".

It has been noted that the Miss Word title has not been in the hands or on the head of a Miss Jamaica since Lisa Hanna in 1993. Brittany says there is some pressure but of course she will be going to South Africa with every intention of being herself and showcasing Jamaica the best way possible.

The Miss Jamaica Beauty Pageant is open to all young, single female Jamaicans, who has never given birth to a child. That is one of the many entry Criteria. We had to ask if she believed that it is prejudice.

(Laughing)"I wish I had my speech teacher with me right now. I have to be very careful when answering this question. I will not state whether it is prejudice or not. There are certain rules set for the competition made by the board and they obviously have their reasons, so I will leave it at that".

Taking everything one step at a time is one of the plans of things to do for Brittany Lyons. She advices young ladies who choose to enter the competition to just be themselves. "It makes no sense to be someone you're not. Stay true to who you are. That's what I did and my hard work paid off. This is just one hurdle, South Africa here I come!”