Merissa aims to win Miss Earth

Jun 24 2009 by Judith Tonner, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

Merissa Lennon

COATBRIDGE beauty Merissa Lennon is hoping to become a queen of green issues as she vies for an environmental title.

The 20-year-old is bidding for a place in the Scottish grand final of the Miss Earth competition, and is hoping that Advertiser readers will lend her their crucial votes.

Merissa was chosen from hundreds of hopefuls to take part in the contest’s semi-final pageants in Glasgow and Edinburgh, which involved not only taking to the catwalk in glamorous dresses but also explaining her plans for a community environmental project.

She plans to visit primary schools around Monklands to give talks and run activities such as a fashion show with gems found in charity shops – with all proceeds going to fund the work of the pupils’ eco committees.

Now Merissa, of Dochart Drive in Townhead, is hoping to claim the last remaining place in the Glasgow final in August through to a public vote currently being conducted by phone and text.

The former pupil of St Bartholomew’s Primary and St Ambrose High said: “Environmental issues are something I’ve been interested in since school.

“I really want to highlight just how important this issue is and I think targeting school pupils is one of the best ways to do that.”

“I’m extremely passionate about this cause and I’m very focused and driven in my ideas, and would love it if Advertiser readers would support me.”

Merissa’s candidate page on the Miss Earth website can be found by clicking here.

To vote for her, text “Merissa Lennon” to 84205 or call 0901 656 1530 and select option 16.

Voting lines close at 6pm on Sunday, July 5, with Merissa finding out later that same evening if she has been successful.