Winner Jen set to face the nation
AYOUNG local woman has been crowned as the new Miss Southport – and is a Miss England finalist.
Jennifer Amy Leigh, who won the British Dyslexia Association Highly Commended Adult Award 2017, was announced as Miss Southport 2018 at a ceremony in Liverpool on May 18.
As a result of the win the Southport girl, who has recently graduated with an MA in politics from Manchester University, has automatically been entered into the Miss England final.
In the third heat of the Miss England competition, the 24-year-old won the judges’ vote and was named “top fundraiser” and “most photogenic” after competing against contestants from all over England.
This meant that Jennifer was entered into the semifinal of the contest, but as she won Miss Southport, she has been entered straight into the final of the competition.
The ultimate winner of Miss England 2018 will spend the year raising awareness for various charities and will receive a host of prizes worth £25,000 – including a luxury holiday to Sri Lanka and a place in the Miss World competition.
Miss England is the only competition in the country to send its winner in to Miss World.
Speaking of the competition, Jennifer said: “Entering Miss England has been such an incredible confidence boost.
“It has allowed me to embrace who I am, be proud of it and express my personality through design, fashion and makeup like in no other way.
“My participation has inspired me to get back into fundraising, this time for the charity Beauty With A Purpose, thus reigniting a passion of mine and allowing me to help make positive change.
“I have had such an amazing journey so far and still have so much more to look forward to.
“I hope to win both contests and become an ambassador for both my hometown and country.”
The Miss England final is set to be held in two parts, one in July and one in September.