Imagine a young woman stepping into the spotlight not just for her charm and grace, but to rewrite history and shine a light on overlooked heroes—right from the rugged shores of England's Yorkshire Coast. That's the electrifying story of Becks Morgan, crowned Miss Scarborough, as she gears up for the Miss Great Britain Final today. But here's where it gets controversial: Is this modern pageantry truly evolving beyond its glamorous roots, or is it still a parade of beauty standards that society can't quite shake off? Let's dive in and explore how Becks is using her platform to challenge norms and inspire change—you won't want to miss the twists ahead.
Hailing from the picturesque seaside town of Scarborough and now residing in the charming Whitby, Becks is all set to compete in the Miss Great Britain Final. This isn't your run-of-the-mill beauty contest; Miss Great Britain, founded way back in 1945, stands as the UK's oldest and most revered pageant. Far from the outdated stereotypes of 'just pretty faces,' today's version celebrates contestants who radiate strength, smarts, drive, honesty, and kindness. Becks, fresh from earning her history degree at the prestigious University of Oxford, is among the finalists vying for the crown. She's not just participating—she's here to make a statement.
Speaking candidly about her drive, Becks bubbles with enthusiasm over showcasing her beloved Yorkshire Coast on such a grand stage. 'Miss Great Britain is fundamentally a pageant, and when folks hear that word, they often picture all the sparkle and shine, which has always thrilled me. I'm a sucker for getting dolled up and strutting my stuff. But what truly drew me in—and what I really zeroed in on—was how many of the women involved are making real waves in their local communities. Plus, it's this fantastic chance to put your hometown in the national limelight, and I was over the moon to seize that opportunity,' she shares.
And this is the part most people miss: Becks isn't relying on designer duds to dazzle the judges. For a pivotal segment of this weekend's event, she'll be rocking an ensemble scavenged from a local charity shop. Why? Because one of the pageant's key sponsors is Cancer Research UK. Eager to tie into that cause, Becks popped into a Whitby store and struck gold—quite literally, with the help of an employee named Danny. 'Danny was a lifesaver; he unearthed the perfect dress for the main part of the competition. I'm absolutely buzzing to wear it onstage,' Becks exclaims. 'A huge shoutout goes to Cancer Research UK, the Whitby branch, and Danny for making this possible.' It's a clever nod to sustainability and charity, showing how pageantry can blend fun with meaningful impact.
But wait—there's more. Becks plans to leverage the competition to boost tourism along the Yorkshire Coast. This fits snugly with the ethos of the organization behind Miss Great Britain, which views pageants as powerful tools for promoting tourism, eco-tourism, and environmental awareness in the host area. Winners and finalists are often tapped as Tourism Ambassadors, selected for their knack for highlighting local attractions and sharing insider knowledge about must-see spots. Think of it as turning a beauty pageant into a travel brochure with heart.
As for her emotions leading up to the big day, Becks admits to a mix of thrill and butterflies, especially over the opening dance routine. 'It's mostly pure excitement,' she says. 'I'm there to stand for my community, the places I grew up in and cherish. The one thing giving me jitters is that kickoff dance number—anyone who's met me knows I've got two left feet! So, if you're tuning into the live stream, maybe give the other ladies your attention during that bit. For the rest, though, fingers crossed you'll be rooting for me loud and clear.' She laughs it off, noting her past dance gigs, like in pantomimes where a stumble just adds to the comedy. 'Tripping in a gold mini dress on national TV wasn't exactly on my bucket list, but hey, you give it your all and see what happens.' It's a relatable reminder that behind the glamour, these women are human too.
Now, shifting gears to something truly groundbreaking: Becks is spearheading her own initiative called 'HER STORY.' This campaign is laser-focused on celebrating women in education who've been unjustly overshadowed by history. She breaks it down simply: Throughout the ages, countless women busted through barriers to pursue education, only to have their groundbreaking contributions minimized or erased. For instance, they might have done the heavy lifting in research or studies but were denied formal degrees because of their gender. And sadly, this inequality lingers today—many girls and women still face hurdles in accessing higher education, from financial woes to societal biases.
Becks's vision? To honor these trailblazers by bestowing posthumous degrees on them, ensuring their legacies get the spotlight they deserve. At the same time, she's rallying for crowd-funded scholarships and sponsorships to pave the way for future generations of women to follow in their footsteps and thrive in universities. 'I've launched 'HER STORY' because so many women across time have fought tooth and nail to shatter the glass ceiling through learning. Their triumphs were often hushed up, and even now, not everyone gets the equal shot at chasing their academic dreams. My goal is to posthumously award those pioneers with the degrees they earned in spirit, and then build up funding so more women can continue their work in higher education,' she explains passionately.
To drive the point home, Becks points to a recent example from her alma mater: 'Just recently, Oxford University recognized the first native New Zealander who studied there over a century ago by granting her a posthumous master's degree. It's a stark reminder that someone's community impact can go unacknowledged for generations, only surfacing after so much time has passed. This just underscores how much farther we need to go in giving credit where it's due—for the effort, dedication, and sacrifices poured into education.' It's a powerful call to action, but here's the controversial angle: Critics might argue that posthumous awards are more symbolic than transformative, potentially diverting attention from fixing current inequalities. Is rewriting the past enough, or should we focus solely on empowering women today? What do you think—does 'HER STORY' strike the right balance?
Becks Morgan's journey is a beacon for blending tradition with progress, from charity shop chic to honoring forgotten female educators. But as she takes the stage, it begs bigger questions: In an era of social media influencers and viral movements, can pageants like Miss Great Britain still drive real change, or are they relics of a bygone era? And regarding her campaign, should we prioritize historical recognition over immediate solutions to gender gaps in education? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you cheer Becks on, or see room for debate? Let's keep the conversation going!
