Two models from Upington who are students at the Dawrette Heyns Modelling Academy and Finishing School participated in the Talent America and Pageant America competitions during the recent school holiday, and returned with many accolades.
Cleantha Koetzee, a learner at the Duineveld High School, participated in the Teen Miss category, and is the overall Fashionista and Teen Miss Beauty Elite winner, as well as the first runner-up in Pageant America.
She placed first in high fashion; second in avant garde, casual, fitness and spokes model; and third in swimwear and formal. She received a callback from a model scout; a director’s choice award; was chosen as a model for the New York Fashion Week 2025, and obtained a summer holiday scholarship at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts.
Carla Janse van Vuuren, a Gr. R learner at the Oranje-Noord Primary School, participated in the Tiny Miss category. She is Tiny Miss Pageant America and the winner of the overall cover girl category. She won first place in model fitness, swimwear and casual – all with callbacks.
Carla also finished first in female print beauty (model division winner: 3 to 5 years old); catalogue, swimwear (overall winner); and headshot, top model; pageant interview model of the year: grand prix; formal: highest international award; and pageant casual models: choice photogenic head and catalogue.
