Sisters play role in A&P Show Queen contest

Tokomairiro A&P Show Queen hopefuls (from left, back row) Holly Watt, Kayla Redshaw, Kayla Graves and Sam Allan; (middle row) Nicolle Vincent and Caitlyn Brock; (front row) Brianna Watt, Lacara Young, Elese Lloyd, Skylah Young and Sian Young. Julia Flett was absent. Photo by Helena de Reus.

After a 20-year absence, the Milton show queen competition is back - and for some it is a family affair.

This year, Milton couple Sue and Ross Clark reinstated the Tokomairiro A&P Show Queen competition, drawing 12 contestants and including two groups of sisters.

Twins Skylah and Sian Young (16) and older sister Lacara (18), are competing for the title.

The three sisters told the Otago Daily Times they did not mind competing against each other.

''It's less nerve-racking, having your sisters there, too,'' Skylah said.

The Youngs are not the only sisters vying for the title.

Brianna (19) and Holly (17) Watt are also in the competition.

Brianna talked younger sister Holly into entering.

''It was Brianna's idea. She suggested and thought it might be a good experience. It [the competition] is terrifying,'' Holly said.

However, it was nice to have a familiar face to share nerves with, and the sisters were not competitive against each other, she said.

Organiser Mrs. Clark said she and husband Ross sponsored a girl in the South Otago show last year, and thought it was worth restarting the Milton competition.

''We've taken a few tips along the way from other shows and the community has really got in behind us 100%.''

Contestants are all under 20, despite the 16-25 age limit.

The focus was to build the competition into a regular feature of the Tokomairiro A&P Show, Mrs.
Clark said.

On Tuesday night contestants joined motivational speaker Julie Woods at the White Horse Inn, to build up their public speaking skills and confidence.

Last week, the contestants helped Milton Area Promotions with Christmas tree decorations, and attended a makeup evening with Balclutha makeup artist Julia Gray.

Shelley Walker also offered tips on speaking in public.

The competition's major prize was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Milton - a modelling and make-up course by Ali McD Modelling in Dunedin worth $1200.

The contestants will be at the Tokomairiro A&P Show on Saturday from 10.30am.