Butler resident Denika Donnelly is taking part in the Miss Diamond Australia 2016 pageant, while her boyfriend Andrew Hortin, of Kiara, is doing the Mr section.
Ms Donnelly said her confidence had grown after being involved in two previous pageants.
“I have grown to become a more confident and social person from the shy and timid girl I use to be,” she said.
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READ NOW“I first entered pageants in a hope to prove to myself that I had overcome my self hate for my body, gained through a long history of bullying.
“I have successfully done that and proven to myself that I love my body and who I am as a person.
“I now want to be a role model to girls going through the same journey, and to prevent others from going through it, which fits perfectly with the Miss Diamond Australia motto ‘Celebrating the beauty and diversity of every woman’.
“Doing this with my partner Andrew is just a bonus – it isn’t often you have a pageant in Australia with a Mr section.
“Andrew has been there with me for my past two pageants as one of my supporters; now he is able to have a taste of the pageant life himself and we are able to support each other through the journey together.”
Mr Hortin said his interest in the pageant grew out of watching his girlfriend’s journey over the past year.
“I thought it would be an interesting experience to be part of one myself,” he said.
“I would like to be a positive role model to males, as doing pageants and modelling isn’t something that is hugely accepted from a male’s perspective.
“I would like to show males that they should be confident in what they enjoy doing.
“Growing up with eight other siblings I have always been a caring and family-orientated individual.
“I recently completed my Bachelor of Commerce from UWA along side my newly growing modelling career.
“In my spare time I enjoy going to the gym and living a healthy lifestyle as well as playing Warhammer and writing my own songs.”
Ms Donnelly has chosen RSPCA as her charity and will hold cake sales, a sausage sizzle and a quiz night to raise funds.
“I am representing as Miss Joondalup 2016, so I will be out and about promoting Miss Diamond Australia and my chosen suburb,” she said.
“I will be doing a beach clean up, volunteering at the McDonald’s Community Cinemas, National Bandanna Day, Christmas gift wrapping for Cat Haven, collecting and donating items to animal shelters.”
Mr Hortin chose the Black Dog Institute.