A NORTHSIDE woman who has shown great courage in adversity is hoping to be crowned Miss Universe Ireland next week.
Sophie Wilkins (27), from Artane, will compete for the prestigious title along with 27 other girls at the Mansion House on August 2. The overall winner will represent Ireland at Miss Universe 2018 in November.
However, just to have been chosen as a finalist is a dream come true for the plucky local woman who was involved in a car crash in September 2014.
“The crash was horrific but has made me stronger,” Sophie told Northside People.
“The crash left me with neck, back and shoulder injuries so I couldn’t work for about two years.
“I attended intense physiotherapy twice a week and finally I am back to work, back exercising and back living my life as a young woman.
“It was an extremely difficult time in my life and I think it shows how determined I am to persevere, defy the odds and make the recovery I have made so far.”
Sophie was told she might never recover fully, be able to work again or play basketball. She grew up playing the sport for Tolka Rovers in Glasnevin.
“I’m in a much better place now, though, and can’t thank my medical team enough for what they’ve done to get me back on track,” she said.
Sophie’s determination to bounce back and compete for this title doesn’t just show in her response to the crash, however.
When she learned she was chosen as one of the finalists while on a family holiday in Florida she cut short her three-week vacation by 10 days to return to Ireland and prepare for the competition.
“It all happened very quickly,” said Sophie who heard about the competition on the radio and on Instagram.
“I applied just a day before the deadline and then got called when I was away. I was ecstatic when I heard I had been selected as one of the finalists.
“I made the decision to come home and missed out on a trip to Disneyworld. My parents were very supportive and agreed it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to compete for the Miss Universe Ireland title.
“I ended up changing my flights and coming home early so I could get the full experience and participate in the photoshoots.
“It was so surreal for me to be working with Vanessa Bartlett, a photographer from New York, and wearing dresses from Olvis.”
Sophie, who has received sponsorship from ‘Let’s Face It’ in Artane, also highlighted the other “amazing” sponsors involved such as Flormar, Zero One Salon and title sponsor Eleven Australia Haircare.
“So far it has just been an incredible experience,” she said.
“At 5’ 9”, I’m quite a tall girl and have always wondered about the modelling and pageant world.
“I had heard about the amazing work that the new National Director Brittany Mason had been doing with Miss Universe Ireland and when I heard it being advertised, despite my nerves, I decided to apply.”
Sophie, the youngest of four girls, was a student at DCU for four years and received a Bachelor Honours Degree in Psychiatric Nursing. She is currently working as a psychiatric nurse at Bloomfield Hospital in Rathfarnham.
“It is the only facility in Ireland which cares for people with advanced Huntington’s Disease,” she said.
“I work 12-hour days or night shifts so it can be tiring trying to juggle the pageant with work but I’m loving every minute of it. I have never done anything like this before so I’m just trying to enjoy it all.”
Sophie pointed out that the Miss Universe competition is not a beauty pageant.
“You have to be well rounded, do good in your community and have a platform to speak about issues that empower women.
“I am very passionate about mental health in people of all ages and in my opinion there needs to be more facilities to help people suffering with mental illnesses,” she added.
“If I won the Miss Universe Ireland competition there would be a lot of interview opportunities where I would be given the platform to speak about mental health.”
Sophie added: “There will be 98 countries represented at Miss Universe 2018 and I would love the opportunity to represent Ireland.”
• You can show your support for Sophie and follow her on Instagram @sophieewilkins to see behind the scenes and the lead up to the final.