A 21-year-old girl beat hundreds of others to make it to the finals of Miss Essex FM.
Cheri O'Connor is now one of 27 girls who will battle it out for the title.
Miss O'Connor, of New Street, Halstead, said: "The first audition was quite nerve wracking.
"I was really surprised to get through to the finals."
It is the first time she will have taken part in a beauty pageant, which will take place on August 28 in Basildon.
Part of the competition is about how much money the girls can raise, how many on-line votes they receive and how much publicity they can get.
The 5ft7 administrator, who works for The Exchange Insurance Company Ltd in Stortford Road, Dunmow, has been sponsored £250 by the company.
She is organising a fundraising leg wax for July 18 and a men verses women rounders match.
Essex FM, a radio station organising the competition, has chosen the charity Martin and Sue's Essex Kids.
To vote for Miss O'Connor, visit www.essexfm.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article