Former Arnewood schoolgirl Larissa Palmer-Hirst, who won Ms Great Britain, launches Miss Dorset
A FORMER Arnewood head girl who went on to become Ms Great Britain is launching the Dorset heat of the competition.
Larissa Palmer-Hirst also held the Miss Dorset title before scooping Ms GB in 2023. She is now inviting women to follow in her footsteps and enter the competition.
She said: “Anyone can enter, any shape, any size. The idea that beauty pageants is all about looks is outdated.
“It is more about the whole person, everything they are. Beauty pageants celebrate talent, ambition, and community spirit.”
Larissa said entering beauty pageants can open the doors to a new world of friendships and confidence.
She said: “Two girls I met through contests were my bridesmaids. I have made some very special friends from it, and everyone is so supportive.
“It is above all fun and just having the chance to be involved in something really interesting. It helped me build confidence so much, I now work in global communications which I totally put down to what beauty pageants gave me in terms of confidence.”
A local girl through and through Larissa, who became Miss Dorset in 2011, even had work experience at the A&T.
She is now director of the Dorset heats of the Miss GB competition, which celebrates its 80th anniversary this year, the final of which will be held in October.
The Miss Dorset final will be held at the Village Hotel in Bournemouth on 3rd August. Open to women aged 18-30, Miss Dorset, says Larissa, “offers a unique platform for participants to showcase their passions, advocate for important causes, and represent the county on a national stage.”
Larissa said: “Miss Dorset was my first-ever title, so it holds a very special place in my heart. After handing over my Ms Great Britain crown in 2024, I knew I wanted to stay involved with Miss Great Britain.
“Directing my home county’s competition feels like coming full circle, and I’m thrilled to help Dorset’s women shine on this incredible platform.”
Participants in Miss Dorset will be trained and mentored by Larissa who will help them gain skills in public speaking, leadership and self-confidence.
A large part of beauty pageants now is fundraising, and contestants of Miss Dorset this year will be supporting Cancer Research UK and A-Sisterhood.
The winner of the Miss Dorset title will also become an ambassador for the county and represent it at the Miss GB finals.
Prizes include a dress from Dress Devotion with all finalists receiving a discount for the business.
Jewellery from Earring Envy will also be won by the girl who scoops the crown.
Applications are open to women who live, work, study or have connections to Dorset or the surrounding area.
Preliminary online interviews will take place over the coming months and culminate in a grand finale at the Village Hotel in August.
Larissa said: “With so many incredible past and present beauty queens hailing from Dorset, I’m excited to crown not just Miss Dorset but, hopefully, a future Miss Great Britain too.”
To enter visit missgreatbritainofficial.co.uk/enter-now
