Proud & Bold in Purpose: Rhaveen Kildare on Service, Identity and Youth Impact
- Winsome M. Sherrier Witter
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
Leadership Rooted in Service
In this edition of SRC Community Spotlight, we highlight a young woman who embodies culture, confidence and community impact.
Rhaveen Kildare, Miss Clarendon Festival Queen 2025 and 2nd Runner-Up in the Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Competition, joins us to reflect on identity, youth leadership and the power of showing up authentically.
Beyond the sash, Rhaveen is a third-year medical student at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, with a clear vision: to strengthen Jamaica’s public healthcare system through community intervention, health awareness and education.
Her résumé speaks to service:
PRO, UWI Student Emergency Response Team
Ambassador, UWI Students Today Alumni Tomorrow (USTAT)
Former Deputy Hall Chairwoman, Irvine Hall
Guild Councillor
Praise Team Leader and Youth Fellowship President
Ambassador, Governor-General’s I Believe Initiative
Governor-General’s Achievement Awardee (18–24 Category)
But what defines her most is not title — it is purpose.
“Service, service, service is at the forefront of what I do.”
Proud and Bold: Identity and Confidence
The 2025 competition theme — The Jamaican Woman: Proud and Bold — deeply shaped Rhaveen’s journey.
From etiquette training and protocol exposure to cultural immersion and national representation, the experience strengthened her public speaking skills, interpersonal confidence and self-awareness.
She describes the transformation as redefining how she sees the Jamaican woman:
A mover and shaker
A contributor to culture and economy
A nurturer and leader
A woman who can be “all that we want to be”
For young viewers navigating self-doubt, her message is clear:
“Show up as you are. Stay true to your values. You are enough.”
She candidly shared a moment when she questioned whether to change her natural hair for the competition. Instead, she chose authenticity — and it became part of what made her stand out nationally.
A powerful reminder: confidence grows when identity is embraced, not altered.
Community in Action: Clarendon Engagement
Rhaveen’s tenure has been marked by meaningful parish involvement:
Keynote addresses at graduation ceremonies
Participation in groundbreaking events, including May Pen Hospital’s outpatient centre
Heritage and Independence Day school engagements
Christmas community tree lightings across Clarendon
Pageant training and mentorship for Miss Glenmuir Prep contestants
Two experiences stood out:
Mentoring young pageant contestants — witnessing their growth and confidence develop.
Christmas tree lightings — moments of hope during a challenging national season.
These engagements reinforced the power of visibility, hope and presence at the grassroots level.
Youth Voice at the Decision-Making Table
Rhaveen emphasized why young people must show up for parish events, youth forums and civic initiatives:
Youth representation matters in decision-making spaces
Exposure builds communication and leadership skills
Grassroots involvement strengthens civic understanding
Engagement builds professional and personal development
Her words resonate strongly with SRC’s mission:
“We are not just the future. We are the now.”
Service in Crisis: Hurricane Melissa Response
Following Hurricane Melissa, Rhaveen donated, volunteered and was trained in Psychological First Aid in collaboration with Children First and UNICEF.
Through volunteer engagement in affected communities, she learnt a crucial lesson:
“There is a role for everybody in the aftermath of crisis.”
Whether through donating, reposting relief efforts, volunteering or praying, contribution is never too small.
Speaking Directly to Young People
Rhaveen’s closing message was powerful:
“You are part of what is right with Jamaica.”
Drawing from the I Believe Initiative mantra — Using what is right with Jamaica to fix what is wrong with Jamaica — she challenged young people to:
Take up space
Use their voice
Engage at the grassroots level
Understand their impact
Her reminder: your purpose may look different from someone else’s, but it is no less significant.
What’s Next: Beyond the Crown
As her tenure continues, Rhaveen will launch:
🔹 The R.E.A.L. Man A Yaad School Tour
A parish-wide secondary school initiative focused on:
Positive masculinity
Youth forums
Gender-based violence prevention
Healthy male–female engagement
Stakeholder collaboration
🔹 “Best of Clarendon” Instagram Series
Highlighting hidden gems, heritage sites and cultural pride across the parish.
Crown or no crown, her commitment remains the same:
“My life only makes sense if I can reach somebody else.”
Watch the Full Feature
📺 Watch here: https://youtube.com/live/1AgS1HjcwlM?feature=share
This has been Community Spotlight, where we continue to amplify youth voices through civic engagement.