Twenty-one-year-old Sarah Wilson doesn't consider herself a competitive person, but she enjoys a good challenge.
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And, next month Sarah will face the ultimate challenge when she, along with six fellow NSW National finalists, vie for the title of Miss Universe Australia.
The Nabiac beauty, who is in the final year of a Bachelor of Communications at Newcastle University, entered the pageant for no other reason than a simple exercise in self awareness.
"I have always wanted to grow myself, my confidence, challenge myself and promote my personal growth," Sarah said.
Standing at a statuesque 1.78m in her stocking feet, Sarah said the pageant was much more than a beauty contest.
"It has a message, the core is about female empowerment; it gives us a voice and support for one another," she said.
It is also about confidence and being the best example of yourself; it's about harnessing the best version of yourself.
- Sarah Wilson
"It is also about confidence and being the best example of yourself; it's about harnessing the best version of yourself.
"It has challenged me in so many ways."
Juggling full-time study and part-time work with the busy schedule of the Miss Universe pageant, Sarah has embraced and learnt how to be more structured and efficient.
"It is all about being organised; to be assessment ready.
"You can surprise yourself how much you can get done."
Sarah maintained for the majority of contestants, the pageant wasn't about winning, but connecting, enjoying and the experience.
"For a lot of the girls winning was the least important (aspect)."
With a passion for creative writing, combined with strong writing and verbal communication skills, Sarah plans to forge a career in PR, possibly with a political perspective, when she completes her three-year degree later this year,
However, all those plans could change in July if Sarah is named this year's Miss Universe Australia representative.
Moving this far into the competition has been an almost unbelievable dream, especially following what Sarah believed was almost the impossible.
Not realising a video tape was part of the formal entry criteria, her hurried submission was almost a comedy of errors complete with a not so happy, magpie which continued to swoop during filming and almost gale force winds.
She had written the experience off until receiving an email of congratulations and an invitation for a face-to-face interview.
"Then I thought I'd blown the talk with the judges."
Asked by the judges to tell them more about herself, Sarah began what she described as nervous ramble talking about her eight-month-old cat and her passion for politics.
The obligatory bikini segmen unsettled her even further.
"It was a bit out of my comfort zone; I am not a confident person."
Resigned to being sent home she began to relax, taking her shoes and earrings off.
But, then the announcement she was a finalist - it was surreal, she said.
"It was like I had a smile pasted on my face."
An advocate for ethical, sustainable clothing, Sarah steered away from mass produced fast fashion as much as she could during the pageant, wearing mainly recycled, vintage outfits.
She gave a nod to Newcastle vintage outlet, I am Billy Boots, which provide many of her outfits.
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