Re: Road to Miss Universe IRELAND 2018 - winner is Grainne Gallanagh

**bonner** Mon Jul 16, 2018 7:53 am

Courtney describes herself as adventurous, energetic, and caring. She currently works at Victoria’s Secret. She has plans to become a TV presenter and use her voice to empower others. She was recently chosen to represent her community in an upcoming pilgrimage to Lourdes to assist with the elderly and sick. Her favorite charity is Age Action Ireland. She loves volunteering with elder populations because she learns from them. Courtney hopes her friendly smile and conversations help them combat loneliness, depression, and ill health. Courtney also loves to travel and gets “itchy feet” when she feels it is time to go explore again.

**bonner** Mon Jul 16, 2018 7:54 am

Sarah is an Irish athlete for the 100 meter hurdle with dreams of making the Olympics. She was close in 2016, but unfortunately she suffered a fractured foot and was unable to compete in Rio. She refused to let the injury devastate her. After months in a boot, she completed rehab and is back in optimal shape. Sarah still dreams of becoming the first Irish woman to make it to the Olympic finals in sprint distances. She plans on opening her own practice to help others train. As an athlete and physiotherapist, health is important to Sarah. Sarah is also an academic and studied at Princeton. When her brother was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, she began to support Diabetes Ireland. She became increasingly aware that many people do not understand the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 and they lack the nutritional education to manage Type 2. She wants to help increase the awareness around these illnesses.

**bonner** Mon Jul 16, 2018 7:54 am

Niamh displayed a love for fashion and the beauty industry early. She and her friend would look through their mother’s clothing catalogues, pretending to be fashion designers. The would use anything at their disposal to create “shops” and dress their toys –furniture, old clothes, even occasionally toilet paper. Now, she dreams of being a makeup artist in the film world. Niamh is proud to be a foster sister. Her family fosters children with special needs. It is not always easy – Niamh recently had to say goodbye to her foster brother of 6 years when his birth mother moved him to the UK – but it is rewarding and she feels like she’s learned a lot from helping her foster siblings. Growing up with exposure to some of the challenges children face has cause Niamh to become involved with the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

**bonner** Mon Jul 16, 2018 7:55 am

Destiny is a student with plans to receive both a law degree and social studies degree. She wants to work for her mother’s cancer research charity. Her mother and her have a close relationship. One of her most vivid childhood memories is her mother reading her bedtime stories. After overcoming cancer, Destiny’s mother began organizing a charity walk and has successful managed it for 10 years. Destiny hopes to continue this legacy and give hope to those fighting cancer. She also wants to be an advocate for diversity and confront biases based on skin colour, race, religion, and more. She will not let anyone tell her she can’t because she is a black woman.

**bonner** Mon Jul 16, 2018 7:55 am

Hannah is an ambitious woman. In addition to establishing multiple businesses in the music, fashion, and digital industries, she plans to become a renowned musical artist and perform stadium shows. She knows it will take hard work, but she’s ready to put in the time and commitment. Having overcome depression and self-esteem issues as a teenager, has an inner fighter that will help her succeed. Her struggles as a youth and the time she spends now as a fashion
blogger have helped her understand that how you present yourself influences not only others’ perceptions of you, but also your feelings about yourself. Hannah hopes to be a trailblazer and role model, showing individuals that they can embrace who they are and realise their self-worth. Having dealt with mental health issues herself, she wants to help others suffering from illnesses like depression.