The newly crowned Miss Northern Ireland 2022 is hoping to use her new platform to open up the conversation surrounding mental illness during her reign.
Daria Gapska from Ballymena took home the top spot at the Miss NI Gala Final at the Europa Hotel on Monday night where she dazzled judges and guests with her beauty and heart.
The 20-year-old student nurse said the 'Beauty with a Purpose' element of the contest was what initially encouraged her to apply for the 2022 competition.
Read more: Meet the 24 girls who competed for the crown in Miss NI final
Speaking to Belfast Live on her first official day as Miss NI, Daria said: "What appealed to me was the 'Beauty with a Purpose' aspect of it as there is a misconception about pageants that it is only about the way you look or how bright your teeth are, how nice your hair is but it is absolutely not like that at all.
"I've learnt, especially from hearing the judges' comments, is that it is all about who you are on the inside, how you present yourself, what your personality is like and how you talk to others.
"I saw this as a really big platform for sharing your values and with Miss Northern Ireland, it was the first time I really sat down with myself and asked what my values are and it really helps you build yourself as a person and become the best version of yourself."
Training to become a children's nurse, the competition allowed Daria to speak about mental health to a wider audience - something she is incredibly passionate about.
"For the past few years, I have been working in a mental health hospital and this has taught me so much about mental illness and I am so happy that I was able to talk about this on the main stage.
"The link between physical health and mental health is very strong and I am so happy that I have been given a platform to speak about this.
"My chosen charity was Bravehearts NI that is a charity for congenital heart disease and it works to support young people and teenagers focusing on their pastoral welfare and mental health support," she explained.
Daira called the feeling of winning the crown as a "pinch-me moment".
She said: "Waking up this morning was just a big adrenaline rush - I jumped out of bed and thought is this real, is this happening.
"It was just the most incredible night, the most incredible morning and it really makes me excited for what's to come next year.
"We really built each other up and changed so much over the past few months in the best way possible - every girl let their passions shine and personalities shine and I am just so happy to have been a part of it."
"All the girls have been so incredible," Daria continued. "We have girls doing PhDs, working in STEM, so many different industries and it's so lovely to see how girls from different backgrounds and all brought up differently.
"We were all so different this year yet we all found a way to have so much fun with each other and I've built so many amazing friendships throughout this experience."
Not only taking the top spot on Monday evening, but Daria was also awarded the top model award remarking in the acceptance speech about how she loved to play dress up as a child and model in her bedroom.
She added: "I have always been an empowered woman and I've always been a strong woman and what made me feel even better was that we had women here that are building each other up, we have all been so amazing for each other.
"It's about talking from your gut and not your head - nothing is scripted and being yourself is really what it is all about."
Read more: Miss NI 2021 Anna Leitch says winning the crown "feels like a dream"
Read more: Actor and business owner among those selected compete for Miss NI 2022
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