Zoe Beck's charity work recognised at pageant

Tauranga teenager Zoe Beck has won an award at the Miss Junior New Zealand 2014 pageant for her hours of community and charity work.

Zoe, 14, was one of 60 girls aged between 10 and 19 selected to take part in the competition at the weekend.

She made the final 20, was crowned Miss Supportive and was one of two people awarded trophies for excellence in community and charity work.

The Tauranga Girls' College student, featured in the Bay of Plenty Times on April 5, was pleased to do so well up against older girls and enjoyed the process from selection, to training, to the final competition.

"I enjoyed the final night being with the girls in their dresses and seeing how confident they have become from the first training to the final night," she said.

Zoe spent hundreds of hours volunteering for charities, fundraising and training for the competition since she was selected about October last year.

She has volunteered at the Red Cross, Waipuna Hospice, SPCA and Safe; dressed as a bear for Plunket; helped fund-raise for child cancer, the Philippines and Solomon Island appeals and helped serve a Christmas meal at a Tauranga church.

"I really enjoy doing it. It just makes me feel really good after I've done it," she said. "I will probably keep doing some charity stuff."

She also painted and sold 200 friendship plates to help her pay for the cost of the competition and to raise money for those in need.

Zoe said the training days held for the competitors helped her develop more self-confidence, taught her etiquette, self defence and drama.

Her mother, Donna Beck won an award for being one of the most supportive mums.

Zoe's advice for other aspiring girls is to "give it a go".

"You wouldn't regret it." Amy McGillivray