Stirling Observer

Pageant-loving teen’s beautiful Florida dream

- STUART MCFARLANE

Pageant-loving teenager Jessica Allan is preparing for a Uk-wide competitio­n at the end of this month with the chance to clinch a dream trip to Florida.

The 14-year-old from Fallin has been competing since the age of six and has raised more than £40,000 for good causes while taking part in the contests.

Jessica currently holds the title of Junior Miss Stirling Galaxy and is competing in the Junior Miss Galaxy awards in Manchester on March 25 - with the winner securing a trip to represent the UK at the Galaxy Internatio­nal Pageant in Orlando.

As part of her preparatio­ns for the event, Jessica has raised more than £3,000 via an online page for the event’s chosen charity - The Christie NHS Trust in Manchester alongside continuing her own support of Parkinson’s charities after her grandfathe­r was diagnosed in 2019.

Jessica’s mum Tammie told the Observer: “Pageants are something Jessica has been involved in since an early age but the older she is getting, the more competitiv­e it gets and it leads on to big titles and internatio­nals.

“She’s competing in this event against girls from all over the UK and will be representi­ng Stirling, with the winner going on to try for the internatio­nal title.

“A lot of people think that it is just about standing on a stage but it is more than that, the interviews she does are one of the biggest parts of the competitio­n and that is something that will help her with interviewi­ng for jobs in the future.

“Each pageant tends to have its own chosen charity so Jessica has raised £3,000 for the Christie and I think the overall total for all of the girls taking part is around £18,000 so that’s really good for the charity.”

Tammie admits it’s a gruelling schedule as Jessica trains for the competitio­n and also hailed the support of local businesses that have got behind her daughter in her effort to realise her pageant dream including the Golden Lion hotel and My Glitter Box.

Tammie added: “She’s really excited for the competitio­n and she’s been travelling to Newcastle for training, so that’s three hours there and back and two hours training, so it’s quite intense. She gets face-to-face training for things like the interviews as well as Facetime training as well.

“Jessica has also been keen to help the community as well as the charities, she’s donating items to the foodbank and also to Cash 4 Clothes as well.

“It’s really nice to get the support from local businesses.”

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 ?? ?? Hopeful Fallin teen Jessica Allan is hoping to secure a dream trip to Florida at the UK Galaxy pageant later this month
Hopeful Fallin teen Jessica Allan is hoping to secure a dream trip to Florida at the UK Galaxy pageant later this month

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