AUCKLAND, N.Z. — A first responder is competing for the title of the next Miss Universe New Zealand.
Erinmarie Phillips, 20, will be flying from Auckland to the Philippines this week with 19 other New Zealand contestants.
Phillips has three jobs in Timaru, working as a teacher’s aid, a volunteer lifeguard and first responder for St. John Ambulance.
The competition had given her “a lot of confidence”, Phillips told the Timaru Herald.
“It’s helped me help kids, because I work with kids all the time and that’s what all my jobs involve. It’s taught me how to be more empathetic and work with all types of people.”
Phillips said regardless of the outcome of the competition, she was a “better me” for it.
She said her employers had been supportive of her taking part in the competition.