Logan teen Maria Brereton has the looks, the musical talent and the pageant sashes — but she says it is confidence, conversation and a willingness to give everything a go that have taken her furthest.
Maria Brereton , 16, of Logan entered the world of pageantry, not for the sashes, but as a means to gain confidence and meet new people, believing her wins at the Miss Teen of Australia pageant in July came from these qualities.
This time, she won most photogenic, best hair and was named first runner up.
“I was a bit nervous, but overall, I enjoyed it. I met new people and have been able to network. People I don’t know cheered me on and supported me,” Maria said.
Maria’s first pageant was Face of Australia in 2023 where she was named second runner up and most photogenic. She then represented Australia in Kid Star International, held in Thailand, gaining fourth runner up and people’s choice.
“I started pageantry to help build confidence, experience something new and have a platform for public speaking,” she said.
Her mother Helen said it was also to break the stereotype of modelling generally.
“People think that pageants attract girls who aren’t very bright, but are pretty. The opposite is true. This is a chance for networking and for staying on your toes,” Mrs Brereton said.
As part of this judging, Maria was required to give an impromptu 30-second speech without notes and to answer several questions.
“I think this is why Maria did so well. It really doesn’t matter what shape you are in or the colour of your skin. This is about participating and feeling good about yourself,” Mrs Brereton said.
“The pageant wasn’t just a contest of beauty. It was a contest of wisdom. I think this is where Maria gained her points and stood out so well.”
It has been a twisted journey for Maria, who migrated to Australia several years after her mother’s migration, not able to speak any English at age six. In the interim, she lived with her grandmother in Moldova and said that time together had given them a ‘beautiful connection’.
It was at age eight that Maria asked to play flute, after sitting in on one of her mother’s orchestral rehearsals.
“Maria asked what that shiny stick with the buttons was,” Mrs Brereton said.
Now she plays the flute at various ethic festivals as a way of maintaining a cultural connection with her Romanian roots and ‘giving back’ to this community.
Maria holds her Licentiate in flute and is preparing for her Fellowship exam, the highest available. She has also been given early admission to the Jazz Music Institute, combining her tertiary and secondary studies and will gain a Bachelor of Music just after graduating high school.
Maria then hopes to do an honours degree to become a doctor of clinical psychology as a second degree and to pursue a dream of entering Miss Universe.
“I am so appreciative of the opportunities I have been given. I try to experience everything. And if I can’t do it, I know that at least I have tried,” she said.
“In life it is important to try these things so you can find out exactly what you like. It’s like the pageantry. I thought it would help with confidence, so I have given it a shot. It turns out that I have met people and become comfortable with public speaking.
“I have discovered about myself that I have strength and the ability to shed light on lots of ideas. I aim for the best and to always be the best version of myself.
“I would encourage my peers to always be positive, be consistent and discover their own personalities.
