Beauty Queen’s fund raiser

Local girls dreaming of the catwalk or simply wanting to experience it for themselves are being given the opportunity to do so by a local Miss Galaxy participant.

Shelley Ann Simmons, 21, will be representing Powys as at the event in March 2019, in Preston, Lancashire, competing for the title of “Miss Galaxy Wales”.

Should she be successful, Shelley Ann will go on to represent Wales at a worldwide event held in Orlando, Florida, later in the year.

But in a bid to raise funds for the UK cancer charity, The Christie, she is hosting a fun filled pageant day in Welshpool where girls aged 4-17 can experience the pageant world.

“All contestants will receive pageant training with our judges, a pamper session of a professional hair and make-up team, the opportunity to strut the catwalk and the chance to win a tiara, sash and prizes,” said Shelley Ann.

“The aim of the pageant is to encourage contestants to enjoy themselves, build their confidence, get hands on with their self-esteem, all whilst feeling glamorous on the catwalk.”

With beauty competitions coming under criticism for being outdated in recent times, Shelley Ann said she wants to “end the stigmatism on pageants”.

“I feel as if people don’t comprehend the purpose of pageants,” she said. “They are to make girls feel beautiful, loved and to make them feel as if they have a purpose. Pageants encourage girls to try new things out of their comfort zones and give them the opportunity to make a change in their community.”

The event takes place on Saturday, November 17, at Welshpool Church House. The fee to participate is £10. The current reigning Miss Galaxy Wales and Miss Teen Galaxy Wales are also attending the event as mentors and judges.

For more information, contact Shelley Ann, who is from Newtown, on Littlemiss2019@hotmail.com.