There is more to Isabel Gibson’s journey than the shimmer of a crown or the anticipation of a national stage.
The former Glenashley pupil, now based in the United Kingdom, has earned the title of Miss Teen North Yorkshire and secured her place in the Miss Teen Great Britain 2026 grand final — an achievement that brings together confidence, resilience, identity and a determination to use her platform with purpose.
Gibson, who attended Northlands Primary School before relocating to the UK, will compete in the grand final in Blackpool on 11 October.
For the young titleholder, however, reaching this stage represents far more than success in a pageant.
Her journey has been shaped by sport, a close-knit family, a strong connection to her South African upbringing and her experiences of living with ADHD and navigating challenges with her mental health.
“When I found out that I won the title of Miss Teen North Yorkshire, I was so shocked because I didn’t believe that I’d be able to do it. However, I was also extremely excited as I knew that it would lead to so many amazing opportunities,” she said.
Those opportunities have given Gibson a platform from which she hopes to speak about issues that extend well beyond pageantry.
She has been candid about her experiences with ADHD and mental health and believes that conversations around emotional wellbeing need to begin long before someone reaches a point of crisis.
“I think mental health gets looked over, and it is only taken seriously if it’s extreme, but they ignore that before the storm there’s the calm,” she said.
During more difficult periods, Gibson said the encouragement of her family and friends has played an important role in keeping her focused on what still lies ahead.
“My family and friends have always helped me. By looking at the bright side of things, I see that I have so much ahead of me and many things and people to keep striding on for.”
It is an outlook she hopes other young people can carry with them, particularly those who may feel that a diagnosis, personal struggle or lack of confidence places their ambitions beyond reach.
“Never let anything get in the way of your dreams. No matter what you must fight for what you love and you will achieve them,” Gibson said.
Her determination was forged long before she entered the world of pageantry.
Growing up in Durban, Gibson began playing rugby at just four years old at Crusaders, developing an early appreciation for discipline, teamwork and competition. She continued playing after moving to Yorkshire until a knee injury last year brought her time on the field to an unexpected halt.
Her childhood was also deeply connected to Durban’s coastline.
With a grandfather who worked as a commercial fisherman, Gibson grew up deep-sea fishing and spending countless hours at the beach with family and friends — memories that remain among her most treasured links to home.
Despite building a new life in Britain, she remains firmly connected to her South African identity.
“My whole life, I have believed that South Africans are a different kind of people, they are strong and independent,” she said.
For Gibson, living abroad has only sharpened her appreciation for the qualities she associates with her upbringing.
“I think being South African has made me polite and strong and determined but kind.”
That combination of strength and compassion is also reflected in the kind of titleholder she hopes to become.
While pageantry inevitably carries an element of glamour, Gibson is clear that appearance alone should never define a woman’s worth or suitability as a role model.
“I think kindness and selflessness are very strong qualities. You can be pretty on the outside and it would mean nothing if you were ugly on the inside,” she said.
Her own relationship with confidence has not always been easy.
Gibson acknowledged that she has struggled with her self-image, making her progress in the competition particularly meaningful.
“I have always struggled with my self-image, so the validation of securing a place in a beauty pageant is something that has helped my confidence so much. My mom convinced me. She has always said I am so beautiful but I always just thought it was her biased opinion!” Gibson said.
What began with a mother’s encouragement has since evolved into something far more substantial — an opportunity for Gibson to challenge her own insecurities, represent the values she believes in and connect with other young women who may be experiencing similar struggles.
Should she ultimately take the Miss Teen Great Britain crown, Gibson hopes to use the platform to support organisations and encourage younger girls to embrace their individuality and develop greater confidence in themselves.
“I’d like to help in many organisations as well as influence other younger girls to be more confident and proud of who they are,” she said.
As the Blackpool final draws closer, there is naturally excitement around the gowns, the stage and the opportunity to meet fellow contestants.
Yet behind the polished pageantry lies a young woman whose story has been shaped by far more than appearances.
From Durban’s rugby fields and open ocean to a national pageant stage in Britain, Gibson carries with her a distinctly South African sense of resilience, a willingness to speak openly about mental health and a growing belief that a title holds its greatest value when it is used to uplift others.
