n Ainslie Hutchison (Blackburn)n Studentn Wants to help charities.

n Alex Philip (Bathgate)n St Kentigern’sn I would be able to help charity more

n Amy Lawson (Craigshill)n Inveralmond CHSn I want to follow my dream to be a model.

n Amy Mulcahy (Bathgate)n Equestrian workern To show that everyone is unique in their own way.

n Anna Malecka (Eliburn)n Studentn Would give me a chance to meet new people.

n Brooke Dolan (Livingston Village)n Personal trainern Would boost confidence

n Catherine Dwyer (Murieston)n Shop workern Would be great experience.

n Cheryl Bennie (Bathgate)n Travel agentn Winning would open a lot of doors for me.

n Claire-Louise Cuthbert (Seafield)n Housewifen It’s what I want to be.

n Danielle Delaosa (Deans)n Bar personn I want to help charity and boost my confidence.

n Dawn Cherry (Fauldhouse)n St Kentigern’sn Would like to be a positive role model to young people.

n Hayley Fraser (Whitburn)n Studentn I would try to be a role model for young people.

n Kerrie Murtagh (Whitburn)n Whitburn Academyn I would be a positive role model for teenagers

n Laura Henderson (Linlithgow)n Studentn To help the community.

n Lisa Wason (Bathgate)n Studentn It would provide me with a whole new experience.

n Lora Allan (Armadale)n Office workern Winning would help gain experience and confidence

n Mairead Stewart (Ladywell)n Inveralmond CHSn It would help to improve my confidence.

n Marie Harley (Eliburn)n Bank workern It would help me gain more self-confidence.

n Metja Bowes (Armadale)n St Kentigern’sn It’s a great opportunity to grow as a person.

n Nicolle Henderson (Linlithgow)n Admin assistantn Help promote community.

n Natalie Bang (Craigshill)n Trainee nursen To prove everyone is beautiful in their own way.

n Natalie Reid (Ladywell)n Charity shop workern To help build and sup-port a better community.

n Nicola Sweeney (Longridge)n St Kentigern’sn I enjoy charity work and would like to do more.

n Rachel Swan (Blackburn)n Bathgate Academyn Winning would help im-prove my confidence

n Samantha Mcleary (Eliburn)n Administratorn I want to give something back to the community.

nSarah-Louise Mcmeechan (Linlithgow)n Hairdressern I want to help charity.

n Sharice Baker (Ladywell)n Hairdressern Would be a great chance to represent my local area.

n Siobhan Deegan (Deans)n Studentn Would give me a taste of the modelling world.

n Stephanie Crawley (Whitburn)n Studentn I woud meet new people.

n Susan Sives (Dedridge)n Self employed cleanern It would be a great achievement in my life.

One of these girls will be Miss West

Lothian 2011

Miss Print The newsletter for Miss West LothianMiss PrintThe newsletter for

Miss West Lothian

n Hayley Wilson (Bathgate)n Studentn To help raise as much as I can for charities.

n Helen Brennan (Dedridge)n Housewifen Winning would build up my confidence

n Joanna Tait (Ladywell)n Studentn I love the idea of helping other people and charities.

n Kairen Gilchrist (Deans)n Shop workern I want to prove to the world that ginger is beautiful.

n Kathryn Grant (Uphall)n Studentn It would show others what could be done.

n Keisha Drummond (Mid Calder)n Studentn Would boost confidence.

THE 36 girls who will be contesting the Grand Final of Miss West Lothian 2011 have now all been named. And, as usual, they come from all across the area and also from many and varied backgrounds. The winner will be chosen by an 18-strong panel of judges under the watchful eye of first-time chairman Charles Earley. It’s the 16th annual Miss West Lothian event, and the proceeds from the Grand Final, which will take place at The Club, Greendykes Road, Broxburn, on Wednesday 8 December, will go to the West Lothian breast cancer charity Bosom Buds. The Miss West Lothian event is about much more than simply choosing a girl to hold the title of Miss West Lothian for the next 12 months, albeit it is the climax of the whole year’s work. The Miss West Lothian event has now been in existence for 16 years. During that time, girls who have entered the event have helped raise tens of thousands of pounds for local good causes and charities. All the money has been spent meaningfully and has made an impact on the people who live in West Lothian. For instance, when vandals broke into the home of a special needs group just before Christmas - and set the toys on fire - it was the Miss West Lothian girls who came along and presented a cheque which helped the little boys and girls enjoy Christmas. The first ever winner was Lisa Hardie, from Armadale, and we are hoping to have Lisa as a member of the judging panel for the Miss West Lothian 2011 event.

Other winners are:n 1997: Karen Doylen 1998: Natasha Farugian 1999: Laura Gibsonn 2000: Maria Przybylskan 2001: Linda Yau;n 2002: Adrianna Toddn 2003: Jenna Dickn 2004: Stacey Coultern 2005: Claire Molloyn 2006: Leigh Gapinskin 2007: Alison Clintonn 2008: Jane Grayn 2009: Ashley Brownn 2010: Domenique Whiteford Marks are allocated out of 10 in each of the following three categories: Looks; Posture and poise; Presentation The maximum overall score in the first round is 30. Each of the 18 judges has an adjustments panel on their judging sheet. Girls come out individually, then as part of a group. The 10 girls with the highest overall marks go into the final round.This time, marking in each category is still out of 10. However, an extra category – for personality – is added, making 40 the maximum mark possible. The top 10 girls will be interviewed on the night by compere Alan Scott. It’s the fourth time that Alan, a former policeman in West Lothian, will have compered the Grand Final of Miss West Lothian. Last year’s winner was Domenique Whiteford, from Bathgate, the first time

the town has produced a winner of the event. However, the town is strongly represented again in this year’s final and could emulate Fauldhouse, the only place ever to produce two consecutive winners, Stacey Coulter in 2004 and Claire Molloy in 2005. As a charity event, Miss West Lothian relies heavily on its sponsors, and Debenhams have been the main sponsors for the last two events. It’s an arrangement that goes back to the opening of Debenhams at The Centre,

Livingston, two years ago, when the then Miss West Lothian, Jane Gray, had the honour of officially opening the new store. There are a number of other sponsors, including AK Limousines, Park Digital, DB Images, First Step Model Agency, Blooming Magic, Star Hair Design and LRF Painters and Decorators. All contribute either in kind or by the provision of items such as the winner’s sash or tiara.Since then, Miss West Lothian entrants have helped with various promotions and catwalk events at Debenhams Putting together an event such as Miss West Lothian takes a lot of time and effort - as well as a lot of people. Which makes it all the more surprising that many of the people involved with the event have been so for a number of years. The first compere for Miss West Lothian was Colin Jackson,

who can still be seen at the DJ box in nightclub Club Earth every Sunday night. Colin helped found the Miss West Lothian event, away back in 1996. He moved on a few years ago, to be replaced by Alan Scott, who will be compering his fourth Miss West Lothian Grand Final on 1 December. Alan has proved very popular with contestants and helps put girls at ease on the big night with his quick wit. Charles Earley is taking on the role of chair of the judging panel for the first time this year. He takes over the job from Ronnie Bamberry. Joanne Healey looks after the entertainment on the night, and her Dance Factory has performed at 14 of the last 15 finals. All the entertainment is provided by local people, many of them youngsters. TV stars such as Andrew Muir, Kerry McGregor and Drew McAdam have all had early tastes of performing at Miss West Lothian events. The event still produces up-and-coming entertainers and heavily tipped as a star for the future is Rheannyn Duncan, who will be singing for the third year in a row. Claire Molloy is co-organiser and looks after the girls at the final. Claire has recently had a baby and Maria Przybylska has stepped in to help out with the workshops leading up to the final. Marie will also be a judge on the night. Amanda Tinning and Star Hair Design are also newcomers this year, although Duncan Bennett is returning for a second year as official photographer. Nicola Rice helps oversee the all-important beauty side of the event. The Grand Final at The Club, on 1 December, is open to the public and contestants are encouraged to bring along as many supporters as they can to cheer them on. Admission is £6 and all proceeds will go to the charity Bosom Buds. It’s probably the closest ever Miss West Lothian with, unlike previous years, no pre-final favourite. But on the night, the certain winner will definitely be charity . . .

All proceeds to Bosom BudsAdmission at door £6