6:05pm Tuesday 29th April 2008
By Ella Pickover
SEVEN stunners from WelwynHatfield are putting the finishing touches to their catwalk struts ahead of the Miss Hertfordshire finals in two weeks.
The girls were among 30 finalists picked from hoards of beauties at the semi-final stages of the competition in February.
Now the tension is really mounting as the girls prepare to stalk the catwalk on Sunday, May 11, at Tewin Bury Farm for the chance of representing the county at the Miss England finals.
But the girls insist the run up to the all-important finals has not meant endless trips to nail bars and beauty salons, but tireless fundraising.
They have been working to raise money and awareness for The Willow Foundation, a national charity dedicated to improving the lives of seriously ill young adults.
Nineteen-year-old psychology student Dominique Thomson says her end of year exams are taking her mind off the looming competition.
"At the moment I have got exams so I'm trying not to think about it too much," she said.
The beauty from The Downs, Hatfield added: "I'm quite looking forward to the catwalk show. And I think the round where we model outfits we have made from recycled materials will be fun.
"I don't get nervous really but I can imagine that I will be on the day."
Rival for the crown Emily Matuszczyk, 18, an A-Level student at Bishop's Hatfield Girls' in Woods Avenue, has worked hard to raise money for charity.
She said: "I am really excited. I'm happy that it is finally here - it has been a long wait since February.
"I've had several cake stalls and I work part-time at an after-school art club where I got the kids involved to help raise money.
She added: "I've been practising strutting down a catwalk for my mum in the kitchen and thinking about which questions they might ask."
Computer science student Ela Good is also getting psyched for the competition.
She said: "I'm a bit nervous but I'm very excited. I've spent a bit too much money getting ready for it.
The competition not only discovers Miss Hertfordshire, who receives a one year modelling contract, it also awards finalists for the best smile, being photogenic, the most talented and the eco award for the best outfit made out of recycled material.
Ela added: "I had to make an eco outfit which took me around 13 hours. It had to be made out of recycled material - it was quite fun collecting everything and creating something out of it."
For more information on the Miss Hertfordshire 2008 finals visit www.misshertfordshire.com
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