Mr & Miss Eden Park pageant celebrates youth, potential, purpose

The Models Wish Academy recently hosted the Mr & Miss Eden Park pageant, a community event celebrating the strength, talent and tenacity of young people from Eden Park and the surrounding areas.

More than a competition of crowns and titles, the event served as a platform to inspire and empower participants and audience members to recognise their potential and become agents of positive change.

The academy is dedicated to empowering youth and uplifting the community. It creates spaces where young people can shine and develop the confidence to lead.

Under the leadership of director Angell-Lee Johnson, also the face of the academy, the pageant was a celebration of growth, self-expression and unity.

The judging panel featured figures who embody excellence in their fields:

• Virginie Merime, a Mrs South Africa 2025 semi-finalist known for using her platform to uplift others;

• Thando Shabangu, the trailblazing first Mr Teen Supranational, who made history in Peru;

• Meresse Peacock, the author of Wild Woman: A Guide to True Worship.

The event crowned more than 15 winners across various age categories, from junior to senior contestants. The organisers congratulated all the participants and winners for their dedication and spirit.

More than just a single-day affair, the pageant is a living platform that continues to uplift and inspire the young leaders of tomorrow.