A preteen from Upington has excelled in the Royal International Miss Pageant in Orlando in the US.

Jeaneigh Borghesi entered over nine categories and returned home with a win in each category. She came first in the Reagal Excellence category.

This is her second time entering the RIM. The first time she won the 2021/2022 Royal International Miss Pageant crown, the first South African to claim the title.

Jeaneigh Borghesi at this year’s Royal International Miss, with all her awards. Picture supplied.

“She was four years old when she started. We started due to her being very shy and not greeting people back,” said Jeaneigh Borghesi’s mother Jenette Borghesi.

“We were advised that pageantry would help. It certainly did, and we’ve never looked back. Sometimes I am stunned by her self-confidence on stage now.”

The community also supports Jeaneigh with all her pageants and couldn’t be prouder of her taking the Upington name worldwide.

Her achievements are celebrated at her school as well because her achievements are international, even though they usually only celebrate sports or cultural activities available at the school.

Jeaneigh and the certificates she received from her school. Picture supplied.

“She is versatile and participates in everything she can. Modelling is just an extra,” said her proud mom.

Directly after landing in South Africa, Jeaneigh jumped straight back into her other sport, tumbling, as she had to partake in a competition held in Bloemfontein where she also came first in her category.

She plans to partake in the Miss Supreme Fire South Africa and Toddler & Tween of the World, which will take place in Klerksdorp during the September school holidays.

Jeaneigh and her friends after winning a gold medal in tumbling. Picture supplied.

“She learned life lessons that prepare her for life there, that are of unshaken value. People misunderstand pageants and think it’s about girls with pretty little faces. This is a lot of hard work.”

For now, Jeaneigh will focus on her school work, but she is adamant about returning to the Royal International Miss stage again soon.

OFM News/Casey-Lee Anthony mvh