Miss N.I.Winner Meagan and runners-up Emma Ward (3rd) and Anna Henry (2nd)
Miss N.I.Winner 2013 Meagan Green
Delighted Meagan Green is announced as Miss Northern Ireland
Meagan Green dreamed of being a beauty queen from an early age she tells the Sunday World
Farmer’s daughter Meagan Green has gone from being a child tomboy to the top model in Northern Ireland.
The 23-year-old’s glamorous transformation helped her become the new Open+Direct Miss Northern Ireland, after she was runner up last year.
Meagan admits she’s dreamed of taking the title since she was first scouted to take part in the Sunday World sponsored competition at just 15.
But she’s still happy to get down and dirty on her brother’s farm or muck out the family’s chickens.
The business management student grew up on the family’s 100 acre farm in Glenavy and says she was a teenager before the glamour bug struck.
“I’ve swapped my welly boots for heels now but when I was growing up I was a tomboy on the farm,” says Meagan.
“We had no neighbours and it was just the three of us, my sister Leanne and my brother Ward, raking around on quads, building huts and dens or painting faces on the silage bales.
“On a farm it’s all hands on deck. There are no days off and no lie-ins,” says the beauty queen.
“When I got approached to take part in Miss Northern Ireland at 15 that started my interest in it and I have followed it every year since. Glamour became my thing and now it’s thrown me into this life that I love.”
Meagan says she could name every winner and runner up for the last eight years, but when she lost out to Tiffany Brien in 2012 the disappointment didn’t last long.
“Tiffany was so ready for it and I wasn’t – I know that now. But I’ve learned so much in the last year from working with Alison Clarke that I know I’m ready to take it on now,” says Meagan.
“I’d had a brace on my teeth for two years which knocked my confidence a bit but if I had to do it again I’d do exactly the same thing – no pain, no gain. Now I’m not hiding my smile.”
The sensible student also has a daredevil side which she has already indulged, taking part in last week’s Barry’s Biker Babes road trip to the north coast to raise money for cancer research.
She’s already helped organise fund-raising events, including strapping on an apron to cook up 200 tray bakes for a family fun day at Charles Hurst.
“My nanny is the inspiration for that – she’s got all the recipes. I love baking and I’m straight on the phone to her if anything goes wrong,” says Meagan.
The beauty queen had also planned a sky dive in March which was postponed by the bad weather, to help a pal to raise funds for muscular dystrophy.
It’s now back on, as soon as she can get a break in her already hectic Miss Northern Ireland schedule.
The year ahead will include a trip to Indonesia for Miss World, when she’ll be showcasing an evening dress collection by Beverly Hills in Belfast, but Meagan says she’s ready for anywhere the new role takes her.
“You’ve got to throw yourself into it. For the last year I’ve been a sponge just observing everything and if you don’t know something just ask, ask, ask.
“The sky dive will be a bit of a challenge because I’m not very fond of heights. You freefall from 17,000 feet and then pull your parachute at 12,000. It will probably be terrifying but what’s the challenge if it’s easy?” says Megan.
“I love it when I’m busy, and I’m probably a bit of a workaholic. Like everyone in my family we like having a laugh and a bit of fun but I like to get all the work done and then see if I’ve got any free time after.”
On the night of the final in Belfast’s Europa Hotel Meagan didn’t just win over the judging panel; she also scooped the Top Model, Most Stylish and People’s Choice awards.
Parents Linda and Edward were overjoyed at seeing their hard-working daughter winning and she also put a smile on boyfriend Ben’s face.
Meagan has been with the transport agent for four years and believes he’ll be right behind her for her big year.
“He’s as pleased as punch for me. He got himself a tux and thought he was James Bond,” laughs the new Miss Northern Ireland.