PROVING she is far more than just a pretty face, a beauty queen from Little Totham is determined to use the title to fight low-self esteem in girls her age.
Teenager Sarah Hope was crowned Face of the South-East at an international beauty pageant last weekend beating stiff competition from girls from across the UK.
But the 16-year-old believes that it was her forthright views on the struggle of young teenage girls to feel confident that won her the top prize.
"The problem today is that young girls are so insecure and I told the judges if I was given the opportunity I would show them that it's not all about being perfect or having the best figure," said Sarah, a pupil at the Plume School in Maldon.
"I think having that view made me stand out from the other girls who talked more about themselves, and their achievements.
"I really want to start helping other girls as soon as possible. I see them right now going on silly diets, or trying to look like the girls in the magazines but there's more to life than that."
Sarah, who is currently studying for her GCSEs, travelled with family down to Hastings for the Face of the Globe pageant on May 26 where she impressed in a cocktail gown, and then in a question round before the judges.
Placed among the final five contestants, the ex-Maldon Carnival Queen then fought successfully for the top spot with an impassioned speech, despite taking a tumble on her way up to the podium.
"I didn't run away crying when I fell down. I just got back up again and smiled and I think they liked that," said Sarah, the oldest of two sisters.
"I actually said to the judges that – as my fall had proven – you're not always going to get it right first time. You have to work hard for things and not give up.
"I couldn't believe it though when they said I'd won. It was so surprising as I'd only really entered to have a new experience."
Although now focused on revision for her imminent GCSE exams, Sarah, who hopes to run her own business one day, is already planning to volunteer at Great Ormond Street Hospital, and support Maldon Carnival in its programme of events to begin getting her message across.
The teenager has won herself an all-expenses paid trip to the Grand Finals at Disneyland Paris in October to fight for the title of Face of the Globe.
"I've got so many ideas in my head and I'm hoping to get started on them so I can show the work I've done when I get to Paris," said Sarah.
"They'll be looking for someone who is a great role model and I hope I could be that, you never know.
"I've decided to concentrate on my exams until June but then I'll put in as much work as possible for the competition."
