Hamilton mum wins Face of 2009

Dec 18 2008 by Shirley Bartynek, Hamilton Advertiser

A HAMILTON mum-of-two was this week named the Advertiser’s ‘Face of 2009’.

Suzanne Clark, of Burnbank, was “shocked and delighted” to be selected as our overall winner in a competition that attracted almost 7000 votes.

Suzanne, who lives with fiance Alan Wheeler and sons Connor (3) and Jack (1), attended a special presentation at the Advertiser’s Campbell Street office on Tuesday, where she was told the news that she had won.

The 24-year-old, full-time mum said: “I never thought I would win. I entered because of my mum Maureen and Alan. They gave me every encouragement but I never dreamed of getting this far. I also did it for a bit of fun.

“Connor has been looking out for my picture in the newspaper. I just can’t believe I have won I am totally shocked.”

Alan, a self-employed bricklayer, said: “We are all really proud of her. Suzanne is quite a shy person so she has done really well to win. It’s excellent.”

The Model Team Scotland last week selected the former Strathaven Academy pupil because of her “fresh faced and natural look”, from our top 10.

Cathy Owen operations manager for The Model Team Scotland said: “There was a great mix of looks and the decision was really difficult to make.

“But when we looked at all the photographs from the top 10 we decided on Suzanne. She has a really natural, fresh and pretty look.”

Taking second place in the competition was Justine Semple from Ashgill.

The beauty therapy student from Motherwell College was delighted with her placing.

The 17-year-old former Larkhall Academy pupil, said: “It feels great to be runner-up and to get placed in the top three is excellent.

“I would definitely enter this type of competition again; it has been good fun and a great experience.”

Cathy selected Justine because of her “sultry look”. She explained: “Justine has a lovely heart shaped face and with her dark hair she has a sophisticated look.”

Third place was awarded to Asten Hill from Stonehouse.

Asten, who just turned 17-years-old last week, was delighted to make it into the top three. She said: “I have always wanted to do modelling; it has been my dream. The competition was a great opportunity to try something different. The prizes for third place are also really excellent.”

The judges from the Model Team were impressed by Asten’s eyes.

Cathy added: “Asten has great big brown eyes so we decided to place her into third place.”

Forty girls and two boys were bidding to win a fabulous package of prizes.

That figure was cut to 20 as readers voted for their favourites.

The phone-lines re-opened for one last week and the top 10 were selected.

Featuring in our top 10 were: Asten Hill, Jenny Li, Nadia Caira, Stephanie Wilson, Kirsty Redfern, Louise Amy Craig, Laura Whyte, Cheryl Hopkins, Suzanne Clark and Justine Semple.