THE Principal and staff at Foyle and Londonderry College have congratulated one of their teachers - 22-year-old Judith Wilson on being crowned the Province's most beautiful woman.
School principal, Mr Jack McGill, said: "Here at Foyle and Londonderry College we are pleased to congratulate Judith on her success in the Miss Northern Ireland Contest and wish her well for the Miss World Competition.
"We have been pleased to hav
e Judith teaching music with us this year, covering a maternity leave, and will watch her progress with interest."
Judith's selection as Miss Northern Ireland cements the city's long tradition of being home to some of the most beautiful girls anywhere in the world and all kinds of everything wonderful await her as she progressees to the next level of the competition.
In fact the new Miss Northern Ireland combines considerable brains with beauty as she just happens to be a music teacher at Foyle and Londonderry College.
Winning this competition would undoubtedly be an emotional experience for any young woman but it was doubly so for the Foyle College teacher as thoughts of her grandfather were at the forefront of her mind.
Judith's granddad was Gordon Wilson, the man who forgave the IRA for the death of his daughter, Marie, in the Enniskillen Poppy Day atrocity of 1987. Mr Wilson later became a Senator in the Irish Government and as well as being a voice for peace actually met with paramilitaries in a bid to end violence before dying in 1995.
"I'm so proud that Gordon was my granddad and I know he'd be proud of me. I'm delighted to be bringing this happiness to my family after the tragedies." Judith said.
Judith Wilson will now go forward to represent Northern Ireland at the Miss World Finals in Ukraine this October and is intent on bulking up her wardrobe before then.
Judith said: "I still can't believe I've won. When I came on stage I had tears in my eyes and there were fireworks everywhere.
"There's also the swimsuit round to think about. I'll try and keep as fit and healthy as I can for that."
Our new Miss Northern Ireland also intends to take part in the Miss World talent show where she will either sing or play double bass.
"All I'm thinking about is trying to be myself and representing my country the best I can," said Judith.
The full article contains 412 words and appears in Londonderry Sentinel newspaper.
