ENNISKILLEN teen, Seana O’Connor says controversial beauty pageant, Miss Ulster has helped her overcome low self-esteem issues. Last year the competition became shrouded in negative publicity for its entrant criteria which stipulated candidates should have a dress size of UK 8 - 12. But for 18-year-old Seana, the pageant couldn’t have come at a better time. Suffering from severe migraines which cause her to have seizures, Seana says her involvement in last year’s Miss Ulster was a huge confidence boost.

And looking ahead to her 2014 the bubbly blonde says she is determined to pursue a part-time career in modelling as a result.

Wearing a dress from DV8 and shoes from KOI Couture, Seana’s hair has been styled by Julie Maguire at Eden Hair in Enniskillen for this week’s photoshoot.

The St Fanchea’s College student says she has resolved not to let her seizures get in the way of her dreams.

“I have never let it stop me from doing anything I wanted to do,” she says, “Miss Ulster definitely boosted my confidence. To any girl out there who is feeling low in themselves I would say this competition is such a good confidence boost, and they should go for it.

“My mum would always have been against those kinds of competitions in the past. But when she saw the positive effect Miss Ulster had on me, it really changed her mind. I have applied for another competition in the next few months and as soon as my mum heard about it she told me to go for it.” On the books with LSH Promotions and Modelling NI, Seana is hoping to secure more modelling work this year.

Wearing a red dress from Asda she reveals she is a real fitness fanatic: “I would do running, squats, sit-ups -- I really like keeping active.

“I was always into athletics. I want to go on to study Sports Science once I have done my exams.” Besides keeping fit, Seana spends her spare time with family and friends. In a cosy jumper from Warehouse, top from TopShop, skirt from Newlook and ankle boots from River Island, she says she prefers to stay close to home when it comes to socialising at the weekend.

“I like going out here in Enniskillen -- I find if you head out anywhere else you have to get a bus and you aren’t home until 4am or after it! That’s just not me -- I love my bed and I like to be in it by 2am!” An avid fashion-follower she’s a particular fan of River Island, TopShop and Missguided.

“I love finding clothes on E-bay that are really cheap too,” says Seana, “I’m terrible with money! I think my style is very different -- I don’t like to wear things that everyone else in the town has. I like the way Rihanna, Ellie Goulding and Cara Delevingne dress.” As she models her final look of the day, a skirt from DV8, shoes from New Look and a top from TopShop, Seana says she is hoping to “stay well” in 2014.

“I want to keep up my fitness and focus on keeping well,” she says, “I want to do more modelling too.”