Miss Herts finalist hoping for night to remember (From Watford Observer)

Miss Hertfordshire finalist from Watford hoping for night to remember

8:30am Tuesday 9th March 2010 in News By Michael Pickard

A woman with a love of animals is hoping for a night to remember when she battles for the Miss Hertfordshire crown.

Emma Moore, 24, is one of 40 contestants to reach the final of this year's competition.

And the former Westfield School pupil, of Healey Road, Watford, said she was “really, really happy” to have landed a place in the competition final.

She said: “I found out about it last year but I never had the confidence to go in for it before.

“This is the last year I can do it before I’m considered too old so I just decided to go in for it.

“I see it as being quite fun and quite good just to represent Hertfordshire. And if you do win you get to do Miss England. There’s always that opportunity. The whole thing kind of appeals to me.”

Emma visited the Galleria in Hatfield last Sunday, February 28, where she had her photograph taken and was interviewed by the competition organiser Sue Waite as part of the semi-final auditions.

She said: “It was really quick. I just went in and that was it. I heard [I was through] on Monday. I spent the whole day waiting. I was so nervous.

“I’m quite an emotional person. I started crying. I was just really happy. I didn’t expect to get through. There were a lot of people. I’m just really, really happy.”

Emma lives with her mother Angela, brother Drew, 19, and has a host of pets, including three dogs, two cats, a guinea pig, rabbit, tortoise, three cockatiels, budgies, fish, and a horse called Patrick who resides in nearby stables.

Before the final, held in Stevenage on May 16, Emma must raise money for the competition’s chosen charity, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.

She has already begun collecting donations and is planning several fundraisers, including a sponsored dog walk and carrying out chores for her family.

Emma, who has been sponsored by her uncle’s company Connor and Stuart Communications Ltd, must also design and make her own ‘eco’ dress, to wear on the big night, when she admitted she will be “so nervous”.

“My legs are going to be like jelly,” she said. “To win it would be amazing. I know I will cry and embarrass myself but I try not to get ahead of myself and think about it. There are 40 girls there. You don’t ever think it will be you.

“It’s just about the experience. It’s something you can look back on and at least you tried it. It should be quite fun.”

To sponsor Emma, visit www.justgiving.com/emma-mooremissherts.