This young lady is working hard to wear the Miss Teen Universe South Africa crown in 2022.
Parow Valley 15-year-old, Cassie Lee Petersen, signed herself up for the pageant and was thrilled to be selected as one of the finalists in August.
The Grade 9 pupil at Tygerberg High School immediately set about working on her community charity projects.
Cassie Lee says: “This whole journey makes me feel overwhelmed but also excited at the same time.
“So far I’ve felt like I’ve made a big difference in certain kids’ lives that have to struggle with various challenges in life, but knowing that I could make that tiny difference puts my heart at ease.”
Cassie Lee feeds kids every second Saturday and is also running a sanitary drive with help of the Bellville Congregational Church.
Mother Portia Petersen told the Daily Voice that Cassie Lee showed interest in modelling from the age of four: “She signed up with a modelling agency and soon after that realised she wanted more out of it.
“She looked around on social media and found the Miss Teen Universe South Africa page.
“She got the ball rolling, with our permission, then did an online Skype interview and auditioned.”
“Since she started this journey, our lives have been busy, Cassie Lee feeds children and she donates sanitary pads to primary schools.
“She’s busy with a beach clean-up and sanitizer project now, it’s all about being the change in any community, giving a helping hand but also being a leading example and, of course, none of this would be possible without friends, family and businesses.
“We as parents are very proud of Cassie Lee, we are very excited for her journey ahead.
“She's such an inspiration to young girls out there.
“We only want good things to come from this for her.”
The date and venue for the pageant are yet to be announced.
venecia.america@inl.co.za