Thirteen-year-old local Maria Brereton, who MyCity Logan recently featured as an embodiment of Logan’s diversity, won the people’s choice award and fourth place overall from an international pageant competition in Thailand.
“I’m very proud of myself,” she said.
“It’s only the second pageant I’ve ever done – I learned a lot of new experiences.”
Miss Brereton who was born in Italy and moved to Moldova, arrived in Australia not speaking a word of English six years ago.
Now fluent, Miss Brereton represented both Logan and the country at the Kids Star International Competiton, facing off against children from more than 40 countries across Europe, Africa and Asia.
“When I came to Australia, I couldn’t speak one word of English and people teased me because of it, but now I’m representing the country and I’m a proud Australian citizen,” she said.
“I like doing my walk and poses, I like showing people my personality, and I want to tell other migrant kids that just because you weren’t born in Australia, doesn’t mean you can never represent the country.
“I also want to be a role model to other kids.”
The pageant consisted of three walks, multiple Q and As, and a talent show in which Miss Brereton played the flute – an instrument she has studied over the last seven years.
She was also required to wear a national costume; she chose a koala-inspired design.
Miss Brereton and the other competitors, aged between five to 17, exchanged gifts and made new friendships.
“I’ve made friends from around the world and learned a lot about Thai culture,” she said.
“And I taught them a lot of English words.”
Miss Brereton said she learned to appreciate Australia even more than she already did.
“There’s a lot of rubbish and poverty, and you can’t drink tap water there,” she said.
“It made me realise how lucky I am to live in Australia.”
Prior to the competition, Miss Brereton said her goal was to promote Logan as a “good and multicultural area”.
She said she achieved this.
To qualify for the competition, she placed second in a Face of Australia competition – requiring hours of training and rehearsing every day.
“My biggest goal and dream is attending Miss Universe when I’m 17,” she said.
“But for now, I’m going to focus on my flute and my studies.”
