Miss Scotland finalist champions mental health issues
A young woman from Cambuslang will this week compete for the Miss Scotland crown as she proves she has both beauty and compassion.
Chiara Dalsasso, 24, is one of 13 finalists that will take to the stage to compete for the title which combines beauty and charitable work on Friday evening.
Chiara, a film and TV production graduate, will complete two dance routines with the other finalists before gliding down the catwalk in a ball gown and doing an interview with the hosts.
“I have never done anything like this before,” Chiara said as she explained Miss Scotland was not like many traditional beauty pageants.
“The owner of Miss Scotland says they are looking for an ambassador for Scotland, it’s different.
“At Miss World, it’s beauty with a purpose and you raise money for different charities throughout the year. It’s not about the event on the night, they want you to do charitable work thereafter.”
Chiara has already made significant strides in raising awareness of and money for the Scottish Association of Mental Health (SAMH).
The former Holyrood Secondary pupil has raised £ 600 for the association through a charity night at her family home on East Kilbride Road and has signed up for a fundraising Skydive next month.
“I chose SAMH because there are people close to me who have suffered and mental health charities are not usually talked about as much as other charities,” Chiara said.
“I wanted to show friends and family that they are thought of and cared about.”
Asked what would be the best thing about being Miss Scotland, Chiara said: “Getting to inspire young girls.
“I wasn’t very confident but this has boosted my confidence in a way I didn’t think it could. Nowadays young girls look up to unrealistic role models. I think I would make a good role model.
“I would also use it to raise awareness of mental health issues and how women are portrayed in the media and I would like to change that as Miss Scotland.”
Chiara will be supported by her friends and family at the event including mum, dad, brother and boyfriend Kenny, who she met while studying for her degree in America.
Miss Scotland aims to find an intelligent, attractive young woman with the character and composure required to represent her country at home and abroad.
The winner will be announced at a glittering event at the Radisson Hotel in Glasgow on August 27.
The newly crowned Miss Scotland will then have the opportunity to represent the nation at the 65th Miss World competition in Sanya, China, in December this year.