5:43pm Tuesday 2nd March 2010
By Michael Pickard
FORTY young women have one hand on the Miss Hertfordshire crown, after winning a place in the competition final.
More than 70 girls aged 17 to 24 from across the county visited the Galleria, in Hatfield, to sign up for the semi-final round on Sunday.
Each entrant was photographed before being interviewed by a judging panel. Among the questions fired at them were why did they want to enter, where do they see themselves in five years time, and what would they do if they won Miss England.
The finalists include Alexandra Saetta, from Radlett; Emma Madgwick-Frankland, Laura Burley, from Welwyn Garden City; Emma Louise Cargill, from St Albans, Harpenden residents Hayley Evans, Sheila Lynch, Danielle Peters, Jade Claridge and Tarnia Betteridge, from Hatfield; and Stephanie Martin, from Bricket Wood.
“It's not just about their face,” said Sue Waite, the competition organiser. “It's also their personality. That's the main thing. We have got some good girls. The standards are very high.”
Sue revived the event six years ago after a long absence and said it was getting “bigger and bigger” every year.
Asked what the judges look for in a potential Miss Hertfordshire, she said: “You've got to have some looks. It is a beauty competition. You've got to have some stage presence, to get up there and speak. It's everything, it's a package.
“It's often not the most beautiful girl that wins.”
Sue also said the stereotype of contestants as aspiring models was wide of the mark. In fact, she said, many want to become presenters or work in the media.
And reigning champion Suzi Cumming, from St Albans, is now a firefighter at Watford fire station.
Sue said: “It opens up lots of doors and they go on to Miss England. But they're not like that [stereotype] at all. Most are at university, they've got degrees, or they're working.”
The final will take place in Stevenage on May 16.
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