Ayva Yoeub is more than just a pretty face.
At just seven, she’s already making a name for herself in the world of pageantry.
Having been crowned the International Junior Princess in July this year – at the 2016 International Junior Miss in America – the Flagstone State School student has since been invited to return and mentor others.
Ayva is the first Indigenous Australian to represent the nation at the annual event.
“My favourite part about being in pageants is being in the ‘fun fashion’ (category), because you get to wear fun dresses and do a fun routine,”she said.
“I feel really happy when I get up on stage.”
Ayva entered her first pageant two years ago with the help of her mum, Alexis Turner.
“She saw me watching (the television show) Toddlers and Tiaras one day and was hooked,” Mrs Turner said.
“She kept asking and kept asking to do pageants, and after about a year, I thought ‘why not?’.
“Ayva was a natural.”
Already, the young pageant queen has a large collection of crowns to call her own.
However, next July, Ayva will hand over her International Junior Princess crown to the next winner at the 2017 International Junior Miss.
“She knows that she won’t win a pageant unless she works hard and practices,” Mrs Turner said.
“There’s a lot of discipline involved and a lot of charity work involved as well.
“If Ayva can do it, anyone can.”
