An aerospace engineer who was teased at school because of her ginger hair has made history by becoming the first redhead to win the title of Miss England in the pageant’s 94-year history.
In order to win the crown at the famous pageant that was held in Birmingham, Jessica Gagen, age 26, competed against and defeated a total of thirty other contestants.
Her triumph came after she overcame the school abuse she endured in secondary school, which included being punched, spat on, and even burnt because of her naturally ginger hair. Her natural hair color was the target of the bullying.
Jessica, who will now represent England at Miss World, was also forced to eat her school meal in the restrooms in an effort to avoid the abuse. In addition, she was called names, had items hurled at her head, and was exposed to other forms of verbal harassment.
Following the completion of her A-Levels, the student was signed by a modeling agency, which helped her gradually regain the self-assurance that had been broken by her unkind peers.
As she worked over her struggles from the past, Jessica showed off her newfound confidence on catwalks all around the world.
She went on to compete in Miss England and ended up coming in second place in the competition’s grand final a year ago, losing to Rehema Muthamia by a razor-thin margin.
Now, she has surpassed her previous accomplishments by winning the title of Miss England 2022 at the glamorous final, which was hosted at the Holiday Inn Birmingham Airport. This victory has put her tormentors to shame.
Jessica, who is now attending the University of Liverpool to get an integrated master’s degree in aeronautical engineering, said that she was more eager than ever to succeed in her competition.
Jessica, who was born and raised in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, stated, “During all of my years in secondary school, I was made fun of for having red hair.”
“With their never having been a red-haired Miss England,” she said, “I didn’t discuss it much during last year’s competition since I’m a strong believer in putting criticism in the past.”
The winner emphasized her belief that it is “essential to educate people about what redheads experience in school” in order to give youngsters who may be going through something similar to what she did the confidence to succeed in school.
She said, “I was called names on a regular basis, and while I don’t believe the kids were intentionally being malicious in doing so, there were clearly occasions when they were.” I used to get extremely worked up about everything, but now I’m motivated to teach children who are going through the same thing that it won’t happen forever.
She said that despite the fact that the goal of her campaign both this year and last was to encourage more girls to pursue careers in STEM fields, the experience made her realize how important it is to provide girls who look like her more opportunities.
As the only redhead in her family, Jessica said that she was “always seeking someone that sort of understood the bullying through school.”
Emily Cossey (left), 24, from Chelsea, London, and Milly Everatt (right), 22, from Eastoft, Lincolnshire, was named as the second and third-place runners, respectively. Cossey is a chess champion, while Everatt is an HGV driver.
At the age of 18, Jessica began her modeling career on an international scale after signing with various modeling agencies. She will now compete on the global stage for England.
She said that despite the fact that the goal of her campaign both this year and last was to encourage more girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, the experience made her realize how important it is to give girls who look like her a voice.
She remarked, “I glanced back and I was thinking there are not many redheads on TV.” “I looked back and I was thinking there are not many redheads on TV.” “I believe it would be wonderful if there could be someone in that sort of position who is a redhead. I think it would be really fantastic. Even in 2016, there was not a single redhead in the Miss World competition.
“I felt that if I could win this, I could encourage students who are being b.u.l.l.i.e.d for the way that they appear and the color of their hair,” the speaker says.
In addition to her work as a model, Jessica has donated more than 6,000 pounds to community organizations and, in 2021, she collected money for the organization Beauty with a Purpose.
She said that since she was the only redhead in her family, she was “always seeking someone who sort of understood the b.u.l.l.ying through school.” This was due to the fact that she was the only redhead in her family.
She added, “I have been through it and you can use that pain to improve your game.” It is good to be able to represent the younger kids and say “I have been through it and you can use that suffering to raise your game.” “Make it your superpower,” the phrase reads.
In addition to her work as a model, Jessica has contributed to the fundraising of more than 6,000 pounds for community organizations, and in 2021, she helped collect money for Beauty with a Purpose.
She ran a five-kilometer race dressed in costume on a daily basis in Liverpool for 96 straight days, earning her the nickname “Fancy-Dress Jess” throughout the city.
Emily Cossey, 24, from Chelsea, London, and Milly Everatt, 22, from Eastoft, Lincolnshire, was named as the second and third-place runners-up, respectively. Cossey is a chess champion, while Everatt is an HGV driver.
