Miss Taranaki puts aside fears to win
She was crowned Junior Miss in 2015, Miss Teen in 2017 and now Lainey Chard has been crowned Miss Taranaki 2020.
Chard was among 26 girls competing in the annual beauty pageant which was held at the Plymouth International Hotel Ball Room to a capacity audience on Sunday evening.
‘‘It’s amazing but I’m still in shock. It doesn’t feel real yet,’’ Chard said. ‘‘I won Miss Junior and I won Miss Teen and now I’ve reached my goal to win Miss Taranaki.’’
She admitted she was really nervous throughout the event but managed to keep her cool well enough to take home the top crown. ‘‘On stage everyone could tell I was possibly going to have a heart attack.’’
Chard said public speaking was one of her biggest fears, but taking part in the pageant had proved she was brave enough to do it. ‘‘It was so much fun. I just gave it my all and was the best version of myself because if I didn’t do that then I wouldn’t feel accomplished by the end of it.’’
In October Chard will compete at Miss Teen New Zealand Supermodel.
There were a total of 11 Junior Miss entrants, eight Miss Teens and seven Miss Taranaki hopefuls and the grand finale show had the theme ‘‘Woman of Change’’ to recognise influential females of the past.
Entrants had been preparing for the pageant since November with multiple events happening around the community. They raised $16,080 for the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust and a cheque was presented to helicopter trust general manager Andy Cronin by Julia Albert, who raised $2000, and Aroha Olliver, who raised $1203.30.
Full results: Miss Taranaki 2020: