SCHOOLGIRL Samantha Tapfumaneyi is hoping to impress the judges in the finals of a national beauty pageant.

Samantha, 16, has entered Miss Teen Zimbabwe UK, a competition for teenage girls living in the UK who come from or whose parents come from the African nation.

Churchfields pupil Samantha, originally from the country’s capital Harare, was delighted when she saw on the competition’s Facebook page that she was among 20 girls shortlisted for the final in London on June 16.

She said: “I was surprised because I was one of the last people that they told was in the final so all the pictures were coming up and my picture was 15th.

“And I was shocked they chose me because the girls looked good.

“It’s my first pageant so I didn’t think I would’ve got through. I thought maybe I would get to 50 but to get to the final is something I was excited about.”

The final has four heats: eveningwear, swimwear, Africanwear, and an ecowear heat where competitors model clothes made out of recycled items. There is also and interview on a surprise subject.

Samantha, of Plymouth Street, said: “I’m a naturally confident person and I’m a competitive person so I see myself going far.

“I see myself coming back home with a title.”

The overall winner will get two crowns, a sash, the title, and will have the chance to help out for two weeks in an orphanage in Zimbabwe. Other categories include miss photogenic, best smile, best eveningwear and best swimwear.

Vote for Samantha to win miss photogenic at the competition’s Facebook page.