Jessica shows off her brain as well as her beauty
Dec 31 2008 by Dan Warburton, The Journal
A STUDENT from Gosforth in Newcastle is vying to become the next Miss Student UK and showing she has brains as well as beauty.
The competition is branded as an alternative to the stereotypical beauty pageant. Contenders must prove they are more than just a pretty face.
And now 21-year-old Jessica Waugh, from Rectory Terrace in Gosforth, Newcastle, is trying to show she has what it takes.
Last night Jessica said: “I kind of got involved for a dare and a bit of a laugh really. But the competition is supposed to be like the opposite to a beauty pageant – they say you need more than just a pretty face.
“I thought it would be like an investigation to see if that’s true.
“I want to prove that women should be judged on their academic achievements and that it’s not just a beauty pageant.”
Competing students climb a ranking system by campaigning and encouraging people to add them as “friends” and earn them points.
Jessica, who is a third-year drama and English student at Birmingham University, is currently ranked at number one at her university and second in her region.
If she finishes in the top three overall she will be entered into the regional finals, before the national stages where she could win a cash prize of £10,000 and a two-year modelling and television contract.
She said: “My mum’s a bit of a feminist, so she was a bit shocked when I told her. Once I explained though she was a bit more excited about it. Some of my friends were surprised too, but most of them have been encouraging and we’ve been having a bit of a laugh about it.” To vote for Jessica, go to www.missstudentuk.com/student.asp?s=3409 or join her Facebook group, called Vote Jessie for Miss Student 2008/9.
