Twenty-year-old Cara Dinnegan, of Willowbrook, Mullingar, has been chosen to represent Westmeath in the Miss Ireland United Nation Pageant 2010.
Cara, a student and part-time worker in the hospitality sector, is to take part in the national contest on July 24, in the first ever year that heats for the UN pageant are being held in Ireland.
The idea behind the contest is that the contestants’ inner beauty outweighs everything else. The pageant was founded by a 25-year veteran of the pageant industry, Sarah Boothe, who felt beauty pageants were failing to focus on the contestants and their accomplishments.
Cara is a past pupil of St Finian’s College, Mullingar, and this year completed a two-year diploma in Social Studies in Moate Business College. As part of her course she undertook work experience with the Irish Wheelchair Association.
“I found this work most enjoyable, and it gave me direction to my career choice. I got to know all the clients, they were all great, and I found them to be very positive and proactive people. I realised from working there that I want to work in the public sector in a caring role; I feel there is nothing more rewarding than helping people,” she says.
Cara’s sponsors for the pageant are local family-run waste management company, Wallace Recycling.
“Wallace Recycling is committed to meeting the needs of their local communities, in relation to a healthier and cleaner environment. Wallace Recycling Ltd does many jobs in our community; they support many local charities, local football teams, and other local initiatives.
“On a personal level, I found Michael and his team most friendly and very supportive of my involvement in the Miss Ireland United Nations pageant. They were all very interested in what the pageant is trying to do, in highlighting family, community, and volunteerism,” says Cara.
“Having won the title Miss Westmeath United Nations I am extremely excited and proud to represent my home county. I would like to thank all my friends, family, Wallace Recycling Ltd, and anyone who has helped me and showed their support. I will do my best as Miss Westmeath United Nations to highlight our county and community on an international level.”
The girl crowned Miss Ireland United Nations will fly to Jamaica in July to compete in the international final.
