MANDURAH local Shantelle Bezant ‘stumbled’ across the Miss Galaxy Australia competition and will now prepare to head to Perth to compete in the State finals.
At 23, Ms Bezant has the opportunity to be named one of Perth’s Miss Galaxy Australia contenders with the top three going through to the national final in Sydney.
Ms Bezant said it was by chance that she found out about the competition.
“I stumbled across a beautiful evening wear store called Show Stoppers and they happened to be a major sponsor of the pageant,’ she said.
“I wanted to enter because it would be a really fun experience to meet lots of new friends, get to dress up like a princess and of course, raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.”
After undergoing a preliminary screening, Ms Bezant was selected as a Perth finalist.
“It has been so much fun,” she said.
“We have some really great sponsors on board helping with some amazing outfits and it’s been great planning community fundraising events for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.”
One of her sponsors Jason Condello at Smile Forever Colin Street Dental has helped Ms Bezant in getting her smile ‘pageant ready’.
Ms Bezant said Mr Condello had also supported her fundraising while her mum had contributed with fundraising efforts.
Despite her role as manager of jewellery store Diva, Ms Bezant said she had never been a ‘girly-girl’ and found her passion was with horses.
But with the competition heating up for a place in the Sydney Australian finals, Ms Bezant said there is one category in particular she was most looking forward to.
“I’m most looking forward to the swimwear section as I have made my own bikini from scratch,” she said.
“I’m excited to see how it looks on-stage.”
Ms Bezant will also compete in the photogenic, interview, fashion wear and evening gown judging categories before the top three are named.
The Galaxy competition is based in Troy, Michigan in the USA with an annual Galaxy International pageant held since 1988.
Titles up for grabs include Miss, Miss Teen, Mrs and Ms Galaxy International.
But for Ms Bezant to reach the American finals, she will need to progress through the WA finals before winning her way through in Sydney.
The Perth final is held on March 7 with the top three to head to Sydney to compete on March 24.
