An Inverurie teenager is eagerly preparing for a national beauty pageant.
Taylor Clark, who has Down’s Syndrome, has refused to let naysayers stand in the way of her dream of claiming the Miss Galaxy UK crown.
The 19-year-old is taking part in the grand final of the competition tomorrow, where the winner will get to jet off to America to compete in the Galaxy International Pageant.
Miss Clark has previously won the title of Miss Belle Scotland, but took a step back from competing after receiving negative comments from other competitors.
Now, she hopes that people “won’t judge” her disability as she returns to the pageant scene.
She said: “I got interested in pageants when my sister Aulbany was taking part in the Miss Belle Scotland Pageant.
“I went to watch and they had a space and asked me if I wanted to take part and I said yes.
“My favourite bits are getting on stage in my outfits and everyone cheering for me, and raising awareness of different things like diabetes, endometriosis and Down’s Syndrome to name a few.”
The former St Andrew’s School pupil added that she “didn’t understand” why people had told her she shouldn’t compete due to having Down’s Syndrome, and that she plans to “show them” what she can do.
During her reign as Miss Aberdeenshire Galaxy, Miss Clark has focused on raising awareness of the abilities of people who have additional needs, raised money for various charities, and donated to local charity shops and food banks.
Mum Clair said the pageants has been a “massive confidence boost” for her daughter.
She said: “I am extremely proud of Taylor in how far she has come.
“She wants to help people and knows that she can help by doing things that are out of the normal for kids and adults with special needs.
“Taylor has come along way to not being able to get on stage after Belle, but with the help of people like Steph Hodson help she has managed it, and I was excited for what this may bring for her.”
Taylor hopes that she can make her family, friends and her sponsors – car rally organiser Guzzler Fizz and ice cream shop Fit’s the Scoop – proud during the Miss Galaxy UK heats in Lancashire tomorrow.
