Emily Taylor, 16, will be up against international competition in Florida
Emily Taylor, 16, of Grimsby, pictured right, won the title of International Junior Miss United Kingdom Jr Teen and her friend Millie Mae Robinson holds the IJM International Teen title(Image: Dan Bowhay)
A thrilled teenager from Grimsby is celebrating after scooping a top beauty pageant title. Emily Taylor, 16, claimed the title of International Junior Miss United Kingdom (IJMUK) Jr Teen and will now go to Florida to represent the UK, alongside winning a £20k prize package.
The Toll Bar Academy student has been part of the pageant scene since she was seven and has been entering IJMUK since she was 12. Her mum Sara Tayor said: “Emily has been doing this pageant for the last four years and has always made the top five – but never won.
“This was her time; her dedication and perseverance have paid off.” IJMUK is a premier beauty pageant dedicated to celebrating and encouraging the positive achievements of young ladies aged four to 39.
Its mission is to “empower and inspire the next generation of young women, providing them with opportunities to shine and succeed”, and includes an interview, fun fashion and evening gown rounds. The recent UK final, which crowns seven national titleholders, was held in Trowbridge, Wiltshire and earned the winning competitors the opportunity to compete internationally in the USA at the renowned International Junior Miss (IJM) pageant.
Sara said: “Emily has finally got her dream. She’s grown so much in her confidence and personal belief this year.
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“She’s done pageants since she was seven. The reason we got her into them was because she has ginger hair and she was bullied for that.
“My friend said about getting her into pageants and helping her build her confidence.” Emily, who was 16 in February and is studying for her GCSEs, will be spending the coming New Year in Florida with her mum and her dad, Craig, as IJM will take place from December 29 to January 2.
“Emily is over the moon,” her mum said. “We’re all going for the experience; we’ll spend a bit of time going around the Disney parks.”
Sara said: “Emily’s doing really well at school and would like to go to London College of Fashion to study marketing and business. She loves to read and to spend time with her friends, and enjoys singing and dancing – the pageants don’t take over her life.”
Emily posted about her recent success, saying: “Wow. Where to start?
Emily Taylor, right, and Millie Mae Robinson at the International Junior Miss United Kingdom event(Image: Dan Bowhay)
“If I could speak to 12-year-old me right now, she’d be screaming. This journey has been a four-year-long process I wouldn’t change for the world, and I am forever grateful for the woman IJM has shaped me into today, and helped me grow into over the years.
“This title is more than just a crown and sash, it has been my dream for four long, hardworking years come true.” She thanked her family and everyone who has supported her, including best friend Millie Mae Robinson, who holds the IJM International Teen title, saying: “We started this dream together and I can’t wait to experience our year together as UK and International sister queens.”
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