CLOSE friends, Tiffany Maclean (21) and Shannon Brits (17) from Humansdorp, who have supported each other in previous pageants, are both in the finals of the International Junior Miss South Africa.<\/p>\n
When Maclean from Gill Marcus Village, was 16 years old, she began her pageantry career.<\/p>\n
In August, Maclean was selected to be a finalist in the international competition, which will be held in Durban in October 2021.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe said pageant gives contestants international exposure, while a scholarship section aids the young women to study. Only a few girls from the Eastern Cape were selected for the finals, which is a rare honour,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
Maclean (participating in the 18 to 24 age category) is proud that she can pave a way for others, like herself, who grew up in a disadvantaged community.<\/p>\n
\u201cParticipating and ultimately winning can inspire those youngsters to believe that nothing is impossible.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf a shy girl from Gill Marcus can make it big and accomplish what she desires, it will encourage them to pursue their dreams. If I can do it, so can they.\u201d<\/p>\n
Maclean\u2019s future plans include studying social work, to continue her modelling career and feature in national magazines.<\/p>\n
\n Friends<\/b>
\n \n<\/p>\n
Maclean and Brits have been friends for six years, participating alongside each other in various competitions.<\/p>\n
It is always good to have your support system, like a friend, who knows the pressure of being a contestant in pageants,\u201d remarks Maclean.<\/p>\n
Brits from Johnson\u2019s Ridge, started modelling at the age of five, but halted for a few years.<\/p>\n
When she was 13 years old, Brits entered her first pageant and has been active in this business ever since.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have always loved walking in high heels. When my mother noticed my interest in modelling, she registered me for the first competition.\u201d<\/p>\n
A Grade 11 pupil at Humansdorp Secondary School, Brits was overjoyed when she saw on the international pageant\u2019s Facebook page that she was listed as a finalist.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am privileged and blessed to be a finalist, as I will represent the Kouga area and the Eastern Cape.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brits (participating in the 16- to 18-year category) is excited that the pageant will give her the visibility and an opportunity to make a difference in her community, which is plagued by poverty, drug abuse, alcohol abuse and unemployment.<\/p>\n
Brits says, \u201cIn the future, I would like to team up with enterprises whichcan sponsor students in need. Another step is to provide presentations with the police to encourage my peers to abstain from drugs.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know it will not be easy, but that is where I will start.\u201d<\/p>\n
She says of friend Maclean, \u201cShe has been an inspiration and my pageant sister. It means a lot to me to embark on this journey with her.\u201d<\/p>\n
To vote for Tiffany Maclean and Shannon Brits for the Public Choice Award, click the \u201clike\u201d button on their individual pictures on the International Junior Miss South Africa Facebook page.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
CLOSE friends, Tiffany Maclean (21) and Shannon Brits (17) from Humansdorp, who have supported each other in previous pageants, are both in the finals of the International Junior Miss South 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