A teen from Ipswich is celebrating after impressing the judges at an international pageant show – walking away with multiple awards.
Ella Cooke flew to Orlando, Florida, towards the end of last year to compete in the International Junior Miss competition, against girls from around the world.
The 16-year-old, who has previously won the Ipswich, Suffolk and Great Britain titles, competed against more than 180 girls, placing in the top 15 runway models.
She was also the winner of the fitness category.
Ella said: "I am so grateful I was able to come away with multiple international awards including the fitness category, it's all about promoting health, fitness and having fun on the runway.
"Placing in the top 15 in the world meant so much to me after all of the practice I put in.
"I had never done runway before so it was a huge accomplishment.
"I had so much fun representing Great Britain in Florida, it was the longest and biggest pageant I had ever competed in.
"Some of the girls are really experienced because in America there are multiple big pageants every weekend in all the states, some girls I competed against had even been featured in Vogue or walked for New York Fashion Week.
"I've been so lucky to meet lifelong friends through doing this, and I've made some friends who live in so many different countries."
Ella will be competing in April to be Miss United Kingdom Teen, and should she be successful, will return to the internationals next year to compete at Virginia Beach in the US.
She added: "I'm feeling more ready than I ever have to compete in April.
"I can't wait to make more memories and hopefully come home with a new national title.
"I am working my hardest to make sure that I win my dream title, in my opinion, pageant titles are more than a materialistic crown and sash, I am always persistent in using my title and platform to promote confidence to young girls and encourage women to strive for success."
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