Emily Sara-Claire Maddison was crowned Miss Universe Jamaica 2018. The tranquility that Maddison’s arresting smile emotes could bring peace, to even the most anxious hearts and minds. The transcendence of her skin and the ease of her eyes’ subtle gaze are all substantiated by a heart that is truly caring.
The quality which often goes understated about Maddison is the maturity she possesses, which is far beyond her years. She has an abundantly clear vision for her life, and her decision to study optometry is guided by her desire to help others. Even during her reign as Miss Universe Jamaica, she aspired to make meaningful, social contributions through her work with disenfranchised girls in Jamaica alongside the local non-profit health rights initiative, Girls Who Know Jamaica, which advocates for the sexual and reproductive health rights of young Jamaican women.
Maddison embodies regalia in its purest form by using her passion in a way that will benefit the society around her. As self-assured as Maddison is, she understands the value of mentorship; hence why she has cultivated such a fantastic relationship with esteemed Jamaican ophthalmologist Dr. Maynard McIntosh, who willingly shares his professional depth and insight with her. Maddison was awarded the Opthalmic Suites/ CLVC Scholarship, and she is now in her second year as an OPTOM student in Trinidad & Tobago. We caught up with her for a nuanced conversation that gave us more insight on her journey to becoming Dr. Maddison
CARIB VOXX: Growing up, who were the women that impressed upon you the value of being compassionate?
Maddison: “I am very happy to be brought up in a home with two very strong, independent, driven and virtuous women – my mom and grandma. I was always told I was a very happy, inquisitive and outgoing child, and my family really cultivated that from my mom carrying me along as she met clients islandwide to my grandmother’s altruistic endeavors through her work with the Kiwanis Club of West St. Andrew. Before I knew it, I associated feelings of joy with helping and interacting with others. I remember as a little girl I use to love playing therapist and would randomly approach people to ask about their lives and their feelings. I was just always concerned with those around me being content and comfortable. 15 years later, I can’t say much has changed which makes me really excited to embark on my career path.”
CARIB VOXX: During your reign as Miss Universe, what was the most meaningful social issue you wanted to help fix in our society ?
Maddison: “I would love to see the erasure of hypermasculinity as marked characteristics for being a “man” in our island. This representation has proven to breed misdirected and unhealthy coping mechanisms that have major self-realization hindrances to male youth. With ‘Girls Who Know Jamaica’, we aimed to provide a safe space for nurturing and growth for all of our youth as we see how interwoven the development of both sexes are to making an effective change. Through interactions with male friends to general peers, it really saddens me to see the reluctance in acknowledging or dealing with certain emotions because of the negative stigma of experiencing or being affected by them. If it’s one thing I wish to somehow fix, it would be this shame and negative stigma surrounding sensitivity amongst males.”
CARIB VOXX: How did you find adjusting to life in Trinidad, and what were the biggest cultural similarities you have noticed between Trinidad & Jamaica?
Maddison: “Adjusting to life in Trinidad was not so easy my first semester; I was a little scared from all the stories I had heard and was really just caught up in proving myself academically, having taken a break from school. I remember having such a hard time trying to understand the accent, then adjusting to chadon beni (culantro) and green seasoning as a staple to every meal – I guess, which would be in lieu of us and our scotch bonnet pepper. Rice and peas was also very few and far between but they have a wide variety of cultural cuisines to choose from instead. Then second semester came around when I met a great friend of mine, Rhion. Rhion really helped me to acclimatize and find that balance in Trinidad in friendship, work and academics to the point where leaving only felt harder and harder to do. To define the similarities with the two, from attending school and my ‘Miss Universe’ journey, one could relate our social habits, issues and perceptions; from how we interact, tone of voice, expressions and gestures, how we classify/group/perceive things and even the social issues we face, to appreciate them on a regional scope.”
CARIB VOXX: Rhion Romany, as you mentioned, is a great friend of yours but also one of the top designers in Trinidad & Tobago. What was it like working with him professionally?
Maddison: “Working with Rhion Romany is truly inspiring to say the least. He is constantly creating, envisioning and working on something new. The industry is taking a real toll from this pandemic but Rhi’s perseverance, savvy and poise was nothing short of greatness. I’ve worked with him a few times now (not nearly enough for me), and it has always been a warm and hilarious experience where I’ve come to not only admire his work, but also him as a person of principle and integrity and an amazing friend. Rhion’s designs truly leave me in awe, especially his keenness in understanding how to best accentuate the female body when still and in movement, making the wearer unquestionably confident. He considers his clients’ likes and personalities, finding genius ways that give his pieces a sense of character and irrefutable ‘fit’; all while staying true to his brand – bold, sophisticated and timeless, inspired by Caribbean women.”
CARIB VOXX: Initially you wanted to study psychology. What made you switch to optometry, and how are you enjoying your program thus far?
Maddison: “I will always have a great appreciation for the study of psychology and how to acknowledge and implement its facets in all aspects of life. I always knew I wanted to work in a field that allows me to help and provide comfort to others. On my gap year, I was interning at an ophthalmic practice which really inspired my shift. It felt perfect; it was in the medical field, it had components of physics, and it had that personable patient care approach that gave me the joy of helping and comforting others. I am thoroughly enjoying my program at UWI. Each year, it feels like the extent to which I can help my patients grows. I am also very much in love with my island and there is immense room for the further development of this profession here, which helps in motivating me on my journey.”
