Delighted Codie crowned new Miss Shining Light Junior

A YOUNG lady from Strabane has been crowned Miss Shinning Light Junior 2022.

Codie McLaughlin (12) scooped the title at a gala event at the Everglades Hotel in Derry on Saturday.

And as well as being the overall winner, the Holy Cross Student also won the My Hero and Miss Charity rounds.

This week, Codie’s mum, Rachel admitted that the new Miss Shining Light Junior is still coming to terms with the achievement and described her as “over the moon.”

“Coming from being such a shy, un-confident girl – that was the reason I entered her into the competition in the first place – she was like brand new person on the stage on Saturday,” Rachel enthused. “The confidence of her was something else.

“The whole process has been great for her and it has really boosted her confidence. She’s beaming – over the moon.

“When they were announcing the overall Miss Shining Light 2022. and Codie won it, she roared and she cried. It was phenomenal.”

As well as receiving a beautifully embroidered sash, Codie also gains free entry into other pageants. However as Rachel explain, she’ll be concentrating on her duties as Miss Shinning Light Junior for the foreseeable future.

“You hold the title for a year and there’ll be appearances that she’ll have to attend,” the proud mum continued. “She’ll also be working with and helping girls for next year’s contest. The auditions have started already for 2023.”

Of all the contestants in this year’s Miss Shining Light – which had been delayed since 2019 because of Covid – Codie managed to raise the most money for the designated charity – £950 for Foyle Search and Rescue.

Rachel added, “I would definitely recommend other girls to take part in this, especially if it’s a wee girl struggling with their confidence. Codie was the only person from Strabane in it and for this to be her first time involved in something like this, it was unbelievable.”