Ruby takes pageant world by storm
A FORMER shy schoolgirl from Runcorn has now been crowned face of the WORLD.
Ruby Hill, 14, won ‘Teen Face of Europe and the World’ after competing in a week long international pageant competition in Disneyland Paris.
The St Chad’s pupil began appearing in pageants a year and a half ago after taking part in a birthday party photoshoot for her sister.
She said: “We had a birthday party for my sister and we got all our makeup done and then took part in a photoshoot.
“I realised I really liked being in front of the camera.
“I knew a girl at school who did pageants so I asked her about them and she entered me into a pageant called Crown And Glory and I came fourth.
“Ever since then I have loved pageants and I really wanted to win a big one.”
Ruby gained her place at Teen Face of Europe and The World competition after achieving first place in Teen Face Of North Wales.
The teenager battled it out against more than 30 girls, aged between 14 and 18 years old, for the title, which was open to contestants from around the globe including countries such as China, Brazil and America.
Contestants took part in a series of rounds including a gala speech and catwalk in different outfits and had also previously done fundraising for charity Headway - that works to improve life after brain injury.
Speaking about her win, Ruby said: “I was really, really surprised. I couldn’t stop crying all night so all my pictures I am crying on them.
“I couldn’t believe it. All my friends at school really like that I won.
“They go around showing my pictures off.”
She added: “Pageants have made me feel like I can do anything now.
“Getting up on stage in front of hundreds of people and talking on a microphone is something I would never have been able to do before.
“But the natural pageant community is very supportive and encouraging, especially as we compete against each other and they put you at ease for getting on stage.
“I feel good about myself and I hope to be a role model for younger girls.
“Plus pageants have helped me in school with my BTECH Dance qualification because now I am much more confident on stage.
And now Ruby, who will be entering Year 10 of high school next term, is hoping to continue her pageanting success.
She said: “I would love to be Miss World. Because that is one of the biggest competitions in the world and I think you could make a career out of that.
“But I would like a career in modelling.
“I have literally not stopped since winning Teen Face Of Europe And The World, I have had loads of invites to events and I am hoping to put on my own event soon.” ●