LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

I am incredibly academic and gained 9 G.C.S.E's at Grades A*-B. I took five A levels in English Literature, Geography, French, Music and General Studies and gained A's and B's in all of them. I am currently studying at Coventry University, where I am reading English and French. I am proud to be studying in my home city because the University is so prestigious and is also a centre of excellence for my course. I find being a student in Coventry hugely enjoyable and rewarding! I have gained my L.A.M.D.A (London Academy of Dramatic Art) awards grades 1-7 and Bronze, Silver, Gold, in Verse and Prose, as well as the Communications award which involves Public Speaking, Poetry and debating. For many years I have enjoyed all aspects of dance. However, I suffer from chronic Rheumatoid Arthritis and can no longer dance of perform. On hand, the dancing has kept me mobile and supple for so many years which obviously works to an advantage against the illness. I can look back and be proud of what I have achieved. I am a classically trained singer and joined the Russian National Opera Company at the age of 12. I play 11 musical instruments by ear – In 2004 I took part in a charity single called "Stand Together", by ‘Playing for Change’. All the musicians were local and every penny went to the areas hit by the Tsunami. I’m very keen to help out charities and previously have raised money for the Bethany Keenan Fund, the Hope Emery Fund, BBC Children in Need, the Snowball Appeal, the PDSA, Air Ambulance and the Terrance Higgins Trust. I also helped raise £19,000 for Save the City Farm Campaign and busked live on Central News and outside the Ricoh Arena to promote the cause. More recently I have been involved again with Cancer Research as well as Help 4 heroes. This year at Miss Coventry the contestants raised over £7,500 and we were delighted to present the cheque to members of the Armed Forces! I have just been chosen to represent the Arthritis charity ARC- which I am absolutely thrilled about! It means the world to me that my fellow sufferers believe in me to promote our illness and raise awareness. My proudest achievement to date is winning Miss Coventry 2010 and I never imagined that this could happen to me and I hope to do my city proud at the Miss England Semi-finals in June. I am also a published poet, and am currently working on my first novel.

As well as my musical achievements, I also share a love of horses. I have been riding for 17 years and have competed at county level on many occasions. However, when my Rheumatoid Arthritis began to spread into my spine, my consultant told me I wouldn't be able to ride with both legs to the same effect I could before. So rather than give up, I have taken to riding Side-saddle, which is primarily how Victorian ladies learned to ride. With both legs over the left side of the horse, and a cain representing the right leg, Side-saddle is all about elegance and femininity. I love riding side-saddle because it also means I won't lose the skills I have built up over my lifetime. Side-Saddle is an art, and the rules are quite particular. In life, I have never held back. I have always done everything I can to make my life interesting and versatile. I am proud of the fact that I have done everything I can possibly do. For seven years I was a competitive figure skater and trained with the I.S.S. I was sad to retire eighteen months ago, but my joints can no longer take the stress. I am so glad to be in a position where I can show people the photo's and video's, and say "I used to do that!" Obviously I'm heartbroken I can no longer train, but It doesn't get me down too much! You have to get everything you can out of life, and not pause for anything. I really enjoy connecting with people, so indeed find teaching extremely rewarding. Last summer I taught song writing clinics for people with learning difficulties, something which I hope to be doing again sometime soon- the positivity we all gained together was something I shall not forget.

My sole ambition is to out do all expectations that anybody might have, of somebody suffering from arthritis. I want to be the best at whatever I do, and put 200% into everything and make my family and city proud. I want to change the way in which people perceive disability, especially in the way in which beauty is involved. Looks are skin deep and it is the character and the personality within a person which ultimately makes them who they are. I hope to promote that within my work, and show the nation that beautiful people can have a disability and it does NOT stop you from doing what you really want to. For too long, society has rejected anybody who does not conform to their "idealism"- and I want to change this. This year, I am going to show the nation that BEAUTY IS ALL INCLUSIVE! With the prestigious title of Miss Coventry I can promote this within the area, but my ultimate goal would be to hold the title of Miss England and use the title to promote this on a national level, and prove that you can achieve anything! I hope to meet people this year that will join me on my campaign to set up my own charity and support group for people aged 16-21 who are suffering with Rheumatoid Arthritis. I want to offer emotional support for both the sufferers and their families, to help them come to terms with the emotional turmoil they face when first diagnosed. There is not enough support; I want to make a difference. On a professional note, I hope to stand for local council in Coventry when I am 21 to further my career in politics. At the same time I hope to become a successful author. I will not stop in life until I am 100% sure that I have given everything I possibly can in ensuring I have served my purpose and my city well. This year is going to be my year!