Sixteen-year-old Middlesbrough student Alliyah Batty capped “two amazing days” when she was crowned Miss Tees Valley 2019 just 24 hours after hearing the news she’d achieved amazing GCSE results.
The Middlesbrough girl took the prestigious crown ahead of 15 fellow hopefuls and will now represent the Tees Valley in the Supermodel England 2020 competition.
“I’m so happy to hear them call my name,” said Alliyah, who achieved four grades A-A* among her nine GCSEs at Hillsview Academy and now plans to study A-levels including Psychology at Prior Pursglove College in Guisborough.
“I thought ‘I really can’t believe this can be be happening.’ I only entered because my granddad wanted me to. I used to do a lot of musical theatre when I was younger and I just think he wanted to see my on stage again.
“I danced a lot when I was younger and won a few prizes but nothing like this. It really hasn’t sunk in yet.”
Alliyah, who was supported by several members of her family at the final, now qualifies for the final of Supermodel England 2020, where prizes will include an all-expenses-paid five-star trip to the Top Model of the World International Final.
She took the top prize ahead of 18-year-old Elton girl Morgann Henderson, a home help for social services, and 23-year-old catering assistant Lucy Franklin.
Sponsored by Cleveland Centre for a sixth successive year, the Miss Tees Valley final took place in the ballroom of The Swan Hotel in Billingham on Friday evening (August 23).
Middlesbrough was also represented in the final by 27-year-old Sophia Din and student Katy Moss, 17, while finalists also included 16-year-old students Annaleigh Wathen, from Stockton, and Jasmine Margetts, from Billingham, together with Billingham girls, 28-year-old full-time mum Terri O’Hagan and student Sophie Boyer, 18.
Others included 17-year-old Marske business administration apprentice Abbie McCleod, 16-year-old Ingleby Barwick student Hannah Mucklow, Ferryhill student Abby Barnesy, 17, and Spennymoor student Ella Ward, 18. From further afield were 17-year-old student Emily Ewart, 29-year-old armed forces employee Jacey Bradbury and 23-year-old student Jessica Brady, all from Sunderland.
Cleveland Centre manager Graeme Skillen said: “Congratulations to Aliyah, who will now become the Face of the Cleveland Centre for the next 12 months, while also winning shopping vouchers worth £500.
“We were delighted to be supporting Miss Tees Valley once again. This isn’t so much a beauty contest but about finding a talented ambassador for the Tees Valley area.”
This year Miss Tees Valley finalists raised nearly £8,200 for Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice in Normanby, Middlesbrough, and the MFC Foundation, with £70,000 raised for local charities over the past four years.
Aliyah also wins a makeover, manicure and photography session from Flawless Photography Studios, £100-worth of Lunaluxa products and £100 gift card for the Dressworx