GEORGE NEWS - Ex-Yorkie Melissa May Kock (23), these days a speech, language and hearing therapist, says the two weeks that have passed since she has been selected as a semifinalist for Miss SA 2015 has been a whirlwind experience.
"I have met people like Leslie Sedibe, the main man behind Proudly South African, Yusuf Abramjee from Primedia and Lead SA as well as Sol Kerzner from Sun International."
Melissa is the only candidate from the Western Cape.
Asked what qualities she admires in her parents, she said her dad, Frans, is the most hardworking man she knows.
"He is always up for a challenge and constantly setting higher goals. He has taught me that nothing in life comes easy and success is something to work towards. My mum, Felicity, has taught me to be passionate about what you do. She runs a clinic in the heart of Knysna and just by meeting her patients you realise the joy she gets from working with people."
She feels having one Afrikaans and one English parent, is a blessing. "I am working on improving my Xhosa, but am able to have a basic conversation in Xhosa."
"I've been blessed with good genes from my mum and dad, but the physical features I like the most are my teeth and eyes.
"I've learnt to love the parts I have not always been so happy with. The best part about my personality would be my love for people and the part I need to work on is being shy, but I have stepped out of my comfort zone by taking part in this competition."
At the end of January 2015 the top 10 finalists will be announced.
Melissa went to Knysna Primary, spent two years in Scotland and matriculated at York High School in George. She has one older sibling, Nicholas (26), who is a qualified chef and farms in the Karoo.
Knysna Mayor Georlene Wolmarans and Councillor Richard Dawson wished her well at her family home on Tuesday 9 December, surprising her with two bouquets of roses.
ARTICLE: ANOESCHKA VON MECK, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD JOURNALIST
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