A TEENAGER from Romaldkirk has been selected to represent her hometown in a national beauty pageant.
Kaitlyn Ramsay is a finalist in the Junior Miss British Isles 2018 modelling competition.
The 13-year-old will be donning her sash as Junior Miss Barnard Castle in the hope of bringing the coveted beauty crown to the dale in May. Despite modelling on and off since the age of seven, this will be Kaitlyn’s debut contest which will see her compete against other finalists from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
The Miss British Isles competition is open to girls aged 10 to 15 and is run with the modelling industry watchdog ALBA. The judges cast their eyes on the thousands of entries that the competition attracts every year. Finalists are then chosen to represent their home area and will be required to take part in a catwalk show at the final event.
Kaitlyn’s mother, Melissa Ramsay, said: “Kaitlyn was signed up with a modelling agency when she was seven.
“My cousin was the runner up in Miss English Rose two years ago and Kaitlyn entered the junior section in that. We sent some photographs and that is how she was selected for the finals of Junior Miss British Isles.”
The event will take place on Sunday, May 27, at The Crowne Plaza Hotel, in Chester. The winner will be announced on the day. Kaitlyn said: “I am quite excited about it but a bit nervous.”
Kaitlyn, who attends Teesdale School, enjoys shopping, dancing and practising her makeup. While she dreams of fulfilling a career in the modeling industry, for now Kaitlyn’s mind is set on returning to Teesdale with the national title. She said: “I’m always practicing posing in the house and I enjoy posing on the catwalk. It gives me a really happy feeling. I’ll be really happy but just to be in the finals is good.”
If Kaitlyn wins, she will receive the main prize of £1,500 as well as a modelling and promotional contract. Previous winners of Miss British Isles have gone on to be signed by top modelling agencies, take part in TV shows and one even appear in a Bollywood film. Ms Ramsay added: “I know she is gorgeous but it is nice to think that other people think the same. I am very proud of her.”
