Beautiful young women from northern Tasmania have embraced a new national pageant competition that has come to Tasmania for the first time.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Miss Teen Australia will hold its first regional competition in the state in Launceston on Saturday, February 17 under the watchful eye of Sue Rees of Sue Rees Modelling and Deportment Academy.
When Sue was offered the position of Tasmania State Manager of Miss Teen Australia she said she didn’t think twice about taking on the job, mainly because of the opportunity it offered girls who were interested in modelling.
“Previously they have had to travel to Victoria to compete in their preliminary or state finals and that’s a huge cost in travel and time,” she said.
“It puts a lot of girls off entering, but I had no idea just how restrictive it was until the entries came flooding in for this contest.”
Not only are Tasmanian entries on a par with all other states and territories, there’s been particularly strong interest from North-West Tasmania.
Girls like Brit Lunson, 16, of Devonport, Erin Taylor, 14, of Turners Beach and Sienna Thorp, 14, of Smithton, who have varying amounts of modelling experience, have taken on the challenge and see it as an opportunity to potentially kick-start a career.
“Just by entering these girls are showing initiative and a growing confidence that could lead them anywhere in the future,” Sue said.
Teenagers make the best role models for teenagers, and these girls are leading by example by following their dreams and letting their actions speak louder than words.
- Sue Rees
This has proved especially true for Miss Teen Australia, with all of the North-West entrants having had to dig especially deep to find the courage to go on following the tragic drowning death of fellow entrant Georgia Lewtas of Devonport.
In particular close friend Erin has felt the weight of grief but with amazing courage has vowed to see through the dream they both held and compete as much for Georgia as for herself.
Erin only recently started modelling, joining some of her friends, including Georgia, for the first year beginner’s course at En Vogue Modelling Academy in term four last year.
“It was great fun, a really good experience,” Erin said.
“Georgia and I decided to do it together as a fun activity and I can’t believe how much I enjoyed learning the basics.
“It was exciting to take part in a catwalk group routine and an individual routine as part of the course graduation.
“It’s definitely nerve-wracking - and there’s so much more to modelling that what you would think, but I’ve got so much out of it already that I want to continue.”
All the entrants agree that entering Miss Teen was a great way to boost their confidence in front of other people.
The pageant involves one-on-one interviews, run-throughs on the catwalk, getting hair and makeup done and presenting themselves in the categories of casual wear and evening wear. Family and friends who will be attending the parade and presentations at the Australian Italian Club will first enjoy a three-course meal.
Trainer and mentor for the North-West contingent, Giovanna Simpson of En Vogue Modelling Academy, said she is proud beyond words and has no doubt that any of them, and in fact any Tasmanian model with similar inner-strength, could make it on the national and international stage.
“I don’t sugar coat it - it’s hard work and sometimes a cruel industry, but living here is no real drawback anymore with exposure offered by social media and more of these large competitions coming to our shores,” she said.
“But only a minority of those who enrol in modelling courses have a modelling career in mind - more than 90 percent see it as a way to improve their confidence and build their inner-worth.
“From ages five and up there are courses to suit everyone. And one of the biggest things to come out of them is the opportunity to build lifelong friendships.
“While they’re learning about modelling they’re also learning about themselves and my big message is don’t change that person. Don’t try to be thinner, or look taller, or act differently - I’m big on body image and making sure they accept themselves the way they are.”
It’s not uncommon for participants to have self-image issues, possibly even be bullied at school and they don’t have many friends. That all changes here.
- Giovanna Simpson
To attend the Miss Teen Australia (Tasmania) pageant dinner contact Sue Rees on 0419 897 673.
To view all the Australian entrants in the senior section of Miss Teen Australia go here.
To view all the Australian entrants in the junior section of Miss Teen Australia go here.
Newsflash! Congratulations to the finalists announced on Saturday, February 17 in Launceston: Junior – EMILY KALOS, ERIN TAYOR and SIENNA THORP.
Senior finalists – LIANA HOUSE, CHELSEA FREESTONE and IZZY LOCKETT.
These six girls will be travelling to Townsville in May to compete in the National Finals!