Ipswich: Former Copleston High School girl reaches semi-final of Miss England contest after winning photographic heat

Jellyna Moore from Ipswich who has reached the semi-final of the Miss England competition. (Image: Archant)

Jellyna Moore, who is 21, reached the final stages of the national competition after winning the initial photographic heat.

The beauty pageant offers winners a £30,000 prize package and a place in Miss World. However for the former Copleston High School girl, who also studied beauty therapy at Suffolk New Academy, the competition offers a unique, personal reward.

Jellyna’s mother is from Mauritius and many of her family live there, so the extra prize of a luxury holiday to the paradise island is a chance for her to reunite with old family members.

“I’m so excited, it would be the most amazing thing ever,” Jellyna told the Star.

“It’s such a wonderful opportunity to get this far and I’m so happy I have been given this chance to show the world a bit of my personality. Beauty is within, most importantly.”

Jellyna has a passion for cooking and hopes to build a career in that area. “It’s my passion at the moment, I hope to open my own vegetarian restaurant in the future,” she said.

“I have been working in a few different jobs, such as waitressing in restaurants, helping with school bus runs and bartending. I love spending time with my family, boyfriend and friends.”

Jellyna’s mother’s family come from Riviere des Anguilles in Mauritius, and this is where her parents met.

“My dad had gone on holiday with his Mauritian friend and got introduced to my mum,” she said. “We have lots of family over there; cousins, aunts, uncles and my granddad. I miss them all so much, it’s been six years since I last saw Mauritius!”

The semi-final of Miss England is in May, but before then Jellyna will be busy attending various events in order to raise funds for the charity sponsored by Miss World, Beauty With A Purpose.