Mini Miss St. Thomas Heritage Queen Launches ‘My VIP’ Project To Empower Children’s Voices

Mini Miss St. Thomas Heritage Queen 2025, Breanna Gayle, has launched a project aimed at empowering children in the parish to use their voices for positive self‑expression and greater self‑awareness.

‘My VIP’ (My Voice is Powerful/My Voice Ignites Purpose) is a platform designed to help children, aged six to 12, use creative arts—including speech, drama, and music—to express themselves and discuss issues that most affect them.

Eight‑year‑old Breanna, who won the parish title earlier this year, explained that the project was inspired by her “passion for the creative arts and deep concern for the various issues affecting children.”

“Too often, I hear of children facing abuse, violence being committed against them, and even some committing suicide. This really pains my heart. I want to see children being better protected and having a safe future,” she said, during the project’s launch on November 25.

Through the initiative, a series of workshops will be conducted at four schools across St. Thomas.

The first workshop was held at Yallahs Primary School on November 26. A second session is scheduled for February 25, 2026, at Morant Bay Primary School, followed by workshops on March 10 at Seaforth Primary School and May 7 at Lyssons Primary School.

The sessions are designed to empower self‑awareness, provide children with a platform to voice their concerns, encourage positive attitudes, and nurture future leaders.

Areas of focus include building self‑confidence, encouraging belief in oneself, addressing bullying and abuse, managing peer pressure, and navigating social media exposure.

The workshops will feature guest speakers and panelists, with information captured to provide ongoing support wherever needs are identified

The ‘My VIP’ project is being implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information; the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA); the Office of the Children’s Advocate (OCA); the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF); the National Parent Support Commission (NPSC), as well as principals, guidance counsellors, and other stakeholders.

Breanna also leads a charity project, Bree’s HAND (Helping Another’s Nurtured Dreams), which will donate non‑perishable food items, toiletries, and toys to Hope’s House Children’s Home and the Princess Margaret Hospital during the upcoming Christmas season.