A 22-year-old Barna woman will represent Ireland at the Miss Galaxy beauty contest in Germany next month.
Sarah Maria Khan, the youngest of a family of two daughters, was recently selected to take part in the event which takes place during the last weekend in February.
Born in Stuttgart in Germany she moved to Galway when she was 16-years-old. She attended the Presentation post primary school at Presenation Road and is a film and television graduate of GMIT. Her mother is Brid Ni Chualain-Khan from Mynish, Carna.
Sarah Maria was contacted by a German photographer through a German networking site and invited to enter the contest, reveals her sister Sonja.
“She put her name in but didn’t really expect anything to come of it. Local photographer Peter Harkin took professional shots for her.”
Representing her country abroad is a major honour for her sister and she is delighted at the opportunity.
“Representing Ireland in Germany is brilliant and she really deserves this honour. She wants to represent Ireland in the best way in Germany and wants to showcase its fashion, jewellery, etc.”
Sonja says the prestigious event would be an ideal platform for local companies interested in promoting their products. Sponsoring Sarah Maria would ensure maximum exposure for them, she believes.
“It would be a great advertisement for companies willing to sponsor her. If there was anyone out there who would like to support the Irish Miss Galaxy their company logo would be on her banner. Any company interested in sponsoring her can contact me at (087 ) 9693965.”
Sarah Maria learned in November that she would represent Ireland at the Miss Galaxy competition.
“I never entered anything like this before and never expected to win. I didn’t tell many people about it. There was great excitement when I heard I won,” she says.
She hopes the event will open the door to new career opportunities for her, perhaps in modelling or in television/film. “I studied film and TV and would love to get something in that area. Modelling would be nice, too.”
Her mother and sister will accompany her to the competition. ’We are sure she will do well at representing Ireland as she is really beautiful and has such an endearing down to earth personality,” says her proud sister Sonja.
Emphasizing beauty, style, and cultural appreciation, the Galaxy International Pageant® is described on its website as a personal development opportunity for women of all nations.
“The delegates who become part of the Galaxy International Pageant® gain confidence and poise in an increasingly competitive world. The pageant affords each delegate the opportunity to grow and advance her personal and career goals while acting as a role model in her community.”
Some 100 contestants from all over the world will take part in the beauty pageant which takes place from February 24 to March 1 in the Frankfurt/Main area of Germany. The highlight will be the 14-hour gala event at the Galaxy Hall on February 28.
Famous guests from five continents will judge the entrants in evening dress, bikini and by an interview.
