Cerise Williams,11, received the second runner-up title at her first pageant.
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Nagambie Primary School student Cerise Williams, 11, will be representing Australia at the Teen Star International 2025 pageant in Thailand at the end of July.
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Cerise, who competed in her first pageant in November, was shocked when her mum, Ana Williams, told her that she had been selected to compete at an international level.
Ana stepped immediately into the deep end of pageantry, having only had previous experience doing baby shows with Cerise and her other daughters.
“As someone who has just started in the business, I can see what we’re in for over the next couple of years,” Ana said.
“The pageant is going to be a different ball game.”
Cerise came second runner-up in her first pageant at the Face Australia Pageantry ‘Search for Face Australia Supermodel 2024.’
Although she didn’t secure first place, Cerise’s natural confidence impressed the crowd enough that she was offered a place in the Teen Star International 2025 pageant.
Cerise Williams, 11, in her ‘cosplay’ outfit for the Face Australia pageant in November.
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For Cerise, a level of bravery allowed her to persist through her first pageant.
Cerise is currently going through an ADHD diagnosis, coupled with feelings of anxiousness.
During her first training session for the Face Australia pageant, Cerise’s anxiety resulted in a shyness and inability to perform practice runs in front of the crowd of parents and other contestants.
However, once Cerise got on stage on the night of the pageant, Ana said her entire persona changed.
“She got up there and she smashed it out like she’d been doing pageants for years,” Ana said.
“In that short time, she came so far with her confidence.”
To fund their trip to Thailand for the Teen Star International 2025 pageant, Cerise and Ana are looking for donations of bottles and cans to turn in for a 10c refund at collection centres.
An individual has already graciously donated 4000 bottles, which put $400 into the savings account for the trip.
Ana runs a family daycare, which has a big focus on recycling, and is passionate about reducing waste, making the fundraising venture a personal one.
“We like to play our part in helping the environment,” Ana said.
Ana is not only raising funds for airfares and other expenses for their trip to Thailand, but also for the two dresses that Cerise will be wearing in the pageant.
One of these dresses must adhere to a national theme, for which Ana, who is herself part Maori, is looking into trying to appropriately represent Indigenous Australian culture.
Cerise, who has only travelled overseas once before, when she was a baby, is most excited to experience the culture of Thailand.
“I’m really happy because it means I get to go overseas,” Cerise said.
Ana believes that being involved in pageantry has been a vital learning opportunity for Cerise, allowing her to expand her confidence and opening a range of different pathways for her future.
“It’s not just about getting on stage and wearing pretty dresses,” Ana said.
Cerise and her family will be heading to Thailand in July, and will be fundraising for 10c recyclable bottles and cans until then.
To donate any bottles or cans to Cerise and her family, contact Ana Williams at anawilliamsfdc@hotmail.com
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