Fiona Kiffin was bullied at school for having braces and big teeth, but now the 20 year old is having the last laugh after being crowned Miss Cheltenham 2011.
The University of Gloucestershire student, who is now being tipped for a place in the modeling industry, was described as an “English rose” by the judges.
The overwhelmed winner said that she hopes that the result will encourage other young people who have been picked on in school.
“I used to be a bit of an ugly duckling. I was picked on for my weight as I was so thin, and had big teeth and braces. Right up until I was about 16 or 17 I didn’t feel good about the way I looked. But to be made Miss Cheltenham gives me so much confidence. I hope other girls who feel insecure about their looks can take encouragement. Everyone has got things they grow up with which they are insecure about. But you have to learn to accept what you are and not let it affect you if people say nasty things.”
Fiona is studying Early Childhood Studies at university and hopes that she can become a primary school teacher in the future. She had never walked on a catwalk before the competition, and only entered after encouragement from friends.
She was surprised to be picked out of more than 50 hopefuls, but won due to her fantastic figure and stunning looks.
“I couldn’t believe it when they announced I’d won,” she added. “I was so overwhelmed I thought I was going to cry. It means so much, especially given my insecurities growing up.
“My message to any young girl being picked on at school would be not to worry about what people say. You just have to get on, work hard and try to get somewhere with your life. It’s the bullies who don’t make it.”
She will now be entered into the Miss England, and could even become Miss World.