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Celebrations as Laura wins Miss Durham competition

3:03am Monday 12th May 2008

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A HALF-BRAZILIAN business administrator has lifted the title in the fifth annual Miss Durham competition.

Laura Azevedo, 19, from Hartlepool, beat 20 other girls in the final held at Sedgefield Racecourse on Saturday night.

Miss Azevedo will now go on to represent the county in the Miss England competition in London, on July 18.

Second place at Miss Durham went to Samantha Osbourne, 20, from Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, and third was Jessica Saint, 19, from Aycliffe Village, County Durham.

Speaking shortly after being handed the title by last year's winner, Verity Walker, 19, from Darlington, Miss Azevedo said she was thrilled to win.

"They were all just such great girls. I'm stunned to have won it," she said.

"It would have been really nice just to take part and get to meet everyone, so to win it is amazing.

"I've tried to just take it in my stride and not take it too seriously and I would have been happy for any of the girls to win, but obviously I'm pleased it was me."

Miss Azevedo, a modern apprentice with Hartlepool Borough Council, said she was cheered on by her family, friends and colleagues at the council.

For the first time this year, the event was held as a separate event, rather than on a race day.

The 20 finalists arrived at the racecourse at about 10.30am for what Miss Azevedo said was a "fun but tiring" day of rehearsals and fittings.

After three catwalk-style rounds, including the traditional evening wear section, and the final interview round, Miss Azevedo, was crowned - 13 hours later.

Simon Robertson, from One Voice Production Limited, compered the event.

He said: "It was a great atmosphere all night and all the girls were getting on great and not at all catty as you might expect, which is great to see.

"I compered Miss Newcastle recently and it was a brunette who won that too, so perhaps the blondes are out at the moment. Perhaps it'll be their turn next year."

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Your Say YourDarlington and Stockton Times

C Smith, says...
1:04pm Mon 12 May 08

Isn't it time these cattle shows were stopped? It's hard enough trying to convince girls that not being the most attractive isn't the be all and end all of life without these events reinforcing stereotypes.

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Beccy Poad, darlington says...
2:15pm Mon 12 May 08

Well you're very rude. I took part in the competition and it was a fantastic experience, if the career girls are looking for is in this area then it is an ideal confidence booster, and its a lot of fun too! We all know it's not the be all and end all! Keep your comments to yourself, instead of putting people down for what they enjoy doing!

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Gemma and Ali, says...
2:29pm Mon 12 May 08

Goooooooo Poady !! It was a good night though! Do keep your negative comments to yourself you nasty piece of work lol

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Azzerisace, says...
2:39pm Mon 12 May 08

I picked two of the three winners. Eric Morley eat ya heart out.

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Jane, says...
7:30pm Mon 12 May 08

Azzerisace wrote:
I picked two of the three winners. Eric Morley eat ya heart out.
I was at the event on Saturday and though it was fantastic, the best girl won - well done Laura, good luck in July.

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C Smith, says...
11:33pm Mon 12 May 08

I will not keep my comments to myself. This is an open board, and I shall express my opinions as and when I see fit.

Ms. Poad, these competitions may be suitable for those wishing to seek a career in modelling, but what does it say about those who are attracted to these events? If your worth is defined by how you look in a posh frock, and the traditional swimwear no doubt, then you are pretty shallow. If Laura Azevedo had an accident scar across her face (which I would never wish on anyone) would she have won it? No she wouldn't. She would still be the same person - she might even be a stronger, better person. But suddenly her value in this competition would be zero. How do you think it makes all those girls who think this is important, but haven't quite got the 'looks'? It is shallow, vacuous and ultimately demeaning to womankind (and indeed humanity), that these cattle markets are allowed to continue. Why The Northern Echo feels it deserves to give it its backing through coverage is beyond me.

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Beccy poad, Darlignton says...
9:49am Tue 13 May 08

Have you not read the small print though- 'You must not post anything that is abusive, indecent, unlawful or defamatory.' you are insulting.

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leon, Neast says...
7:33pm Tue 13 May 08

she is a pretty girl well done, but i gotta say one thing, how much make up is on her on the top pic?!? the entry pics of her are nice, she looks like a boiled lobster on the top pic, dont mean to be offencive as she is a worthy winner but is there a need for all thatmakeup?!?

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Howie, Bishop Auckland says...
7:55pm Tue 13 May 08

I attended and enjoyed the Miss Durham event and can say I’m far from being shallow. However I must have been to the toilet during the “Traditional swimwear” round as I never saw a girl in a bikini all night. ( **** that’s the only reason I attended )

If you went to the Miss Durham event you may be surprised that it attracts people of all ages, gender, sexual orientation, backgrounds, professions and sizes – Not just females with a size zero figure. ( Although I did see someone being removed from the premises as they were less than pleasing on the eye and had a top on that was so last season )

Why shouldn’t The Northern Echo report on such an event? I can’t play football, so should the Echo stop reporting on the Premiership??? And I’m 6’ 2” and therefore will never be able to enter the Grand National as a jockey, so should they knock the reporting of horse racing on the head?

I mean come on, How far would you take it? Ban the Paralympics because not everybody is legible to enter? Cancel Mastermind as not everybody has a high IQ?

Don't make me laugh.

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Beccy Poad, Darlington says...
10:07pm Tue 13 May 08

whoever you are thankyou and well said :) i totally agree!! It takes a lot to go up there, and i only did it to try and get some confidence, and isn't that what is encouraged for people to have these days.. i think so!!

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Howie, Bishop Auckland says...
1:43pm Wed 14 May 08

Well Rebecca, If a certain somebody on this comments section hasn’t got a petition together and had the Miss Durham event outlawed by next year I think you should enter again.

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MrMuscle, Toon says...
1:49pm Wed 14 May 08

Some might say that most of the resistance to these kind of events comes from those who know that they would have never had the chance to enter them.

I think these events are ok. People will never tire of looking at beautiful people.

As for me, I will stick to my knobbly knees contests at the beach, as I am not likely to win Mr Universe… (or indeed, Miss Durham)

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charlotte, london says...
5:43pm Wed 14 May 08

I am shocked at the comments of the 'lovely' c smith... I took part in another heat of the contest. And yeas, I expected it to be full of catty girls parading around in swimwear. In fact, It was a lovely evening, boosted my confidence and I felt the judges looked at personality-not just looks...Just to point out, the current Miss england is partially deaf and the winner of Miss Surrey is a size 16. Therefore it truly is open to anyone.
It wasnt a 'Cattle market'- It was a lovely opportunity for girls os all shapes and backgrounds to feel good about themselves.

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semone, durham, Darlo says...
4:15pm Fri 16 May 08

Women are applauded for being intelligent, for being good at sport, for being succesful in business, so why not celebrate them for being pretty too? If I was objectified for being physically attractive I would absolutely love it. Anyone who says they wouldn't is talking nonsense.

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samantha osborne, middlesbrough says...
6:13pm Fri 16 May 08

Hello,

I have just been browsing through the comments (I came 2nd at Miss Durham - was gutted I didn't win though hehe well done to Laura!) Miss England is an amazing experience as last year I represented Middlesbrough there and made some great friends!! It is great to see many sizes, cultures etc come together - a lot of the girls are doing degrees or are successful with in their careers who do pageants. Some see it as a bit of fun and others as a way in to modelling. I think beauty comes from with in and pageants aren't just about looks but about confidence, elegance, personality, work done for charity etc and so these competitions aren't really shallow as they generally have a good purpose which is usually to raise thousands for charities. Well done to all the girls that took part in Miss Durham and thank you to those who supported me on the night! xx

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Beccy Poad, Darlington says...
7:33pm Fri 16 May 08

Thanks howie and i think i jolly well will!!

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mikey, north east says...
4:06pm Sun 18 May 08

Hello,

I went to watch the final of Miss Durham and all I have to say is that the girls who were 2nd and 3rd totally stood out and were robbed! Even the audience sighed when the 2nd girls name was announced coz everyone thought she was gunna win by far! Sure she wudda done mint at Miss England too like but what do I know haha

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Bec, Durham says...
12:17pm Tue 20 May 08

I think laura was a very worthy winner. I was also at the Miss Durham final and noticed no sigh from the audience whatsoever. Out of all the girls in the top three I thought laura was the most naturally pretty without the need for hair dye/copius amounts of eye makeup. This sigh you claim to have heard may have come from people dissapointed their family members were not second place. Good luck to laura at Miss England.

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JOOLS, durham says...
1:52pm Wed 21 May 08

Gotta say I was backing that 2nd girl too and the 3rd girl was gorg too. Was suprised to see that some of the other girls didnt get thru to top 6 who i thought would though! Good luck to winner at Miss England too. All the girls were stunning and all different in their own ways which was nice to see!j

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Cheryl, Mbro says...
5:52pm Wed 21 May 08

I attended the Miss Durham event and to be honest i disagree, i didnt expect the girl who came 2nd to even come in the top six she was too fake, wearing far too much makeup all of the other girls looked natural. I didnt agree with the top six but i do think Laura was the rightful winner. I wish her well.

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jen, durham says...
3:39pm Fri 11 Jul 08

Cheryl wrote:
I attended the Miss Durham event and to be honest i disagree, i didnt expect the girl who came 2nd to even come in the top six she was too fake, wearing far too much makeup all of the other girls looked natural. I didnt agree with the top six but i do think Laura was the rightful winner. I wish her well.
i would just like to point out that people were gutted that 2nd place girl didn't win. everyone was in dismay that azevedo won! as i am not a total b*tch i will wish her well on her journey to miss england and think she is very pretty, but to claim 2nd place shouldn't have come in the top six etc is a bit too far. 2nd place wasn't the only one wearing make up! pageants are healthy as long as people see them for what they are supposed to be - fun. when they turn into a **** fest like this it totally ruins the good feeling and to be honest it's not surprising that 'c smith' feels the way they do about the whole situation.

give it a rest girls it really is sickening to read. girls should stick together not tear each other to bits.

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Winner: Laura Azevedo From right, 3rd place Jessica Saint, 2nd place Samantha Osbourne and winner Laura Azevedo

Buy this photo icon Buy this photo » Winner: Laura Azevedo

From right, 3rd place Jessica Saint, 2nd place Samantha Osbourne and winner Laura Azevedo



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