Kyia Peters, earlier in 2009
Catwalk beauty Kyia Peters, eight, from Pitsea, won the seven to ten category and was awarded a contract with modeling agency Truly Scrumptious
Two young girls from Basildon have won contracts with a top modeling agency in this year’s Echo Modelsearch competition.
Kyia Peters, aged eight, from Pitsea, and Alfie Ball, aged four, from Wickford, beat off hundreds of applicants from across South Essex to win a year’s contract with modeling agency Truly Scrumptious.
Families and friends gathered to watch the catwalk show in glorious sunshine at Festival Leisure Park in Basildon.
Kyia, a pupil at Northlands Junior School, impressed the five-strong judging panel with her adorable smile to win the girls’ seven to ten age group.
Parents
Proud parents Scott, and Louise Peters, hope Kyia will follow in the footsteps of her idol, Disney princess Hannah Montana.
Louise said, “She wasn’t even sure she wanted to come this morning – but now we’re all very glad she did.”
Alfie, who started school yesterday at Wickford Church of England Infant School, beat off cute competition in the four to six-year-old age group.
His mother Melanie Ball, 29, said, “I thought he might win, but you never think it will come to this. He is a very lucky boy because he is also very intelligent.
Leon Shires, 10, from Leigh, won the boys’ seven to 10 age group, and Portia Funes, five, from Southend, took first place in the four to six-year-old girls’ category.
In the 11- to 15-year-old category, 14-year-old Kristin French of Basildon and 13-year-old Kieran Willis of Southend won first prizes.
They received vouchers for food and entertainment at Festival Leisure Park and a photo shoot at Len Dance Studio in Leigh.
Winners in the 16 and over category were Michael Higginson (20) from Rochford and Stacey Fox (21) from Leigh.
Stacey will get a photo shoot with Sandra Reynolds Model and Casting Agency in London.
Organizer Michael Tierney said, “The standard was excellent this year, especially in the older category.
“I think the model scouts were spoilt for choice, and I’m sure we saw some stars of tomorrow here today.”