By CATHY DONOHUE

Galway’s Katherine Gannon has been crowned Miss Galaxy Ireland 2012 and will now travel to Florida next month to take part in the international final of the pageant.

Katherine, 21, is no stranger to beauty pageants having placed as a finalist in last year’s Miss Ireland competition.

Katherine is a woman of many talents, aside from modelling for Assets agency she also judges modelling competitions including Miss Galway 2012. “This gives me a chance to see what it is like on the other side of the table -- what works well and what doesn’t,“ she says astutely.

Katherine has collected a number of accolades throughout her modelling career; in 2009 she was the winner of a model search entitled ‘The Face of the Galway Shopping Centre’ and the following year she was crowned Miss NUIG 2010. She has also appeared in a number of music videos including the hit by Damo & Ivor ‘Everybody’s Drinkin’.

As well as modelling she is also an Arts student at NUIG entering her final year in September and, after this, she hopes to pursue a master’s degree.

“I believe it is highly important for those entering the industry to have a back-up plan. Lifelong modelling careers are scarce and a good education is something you can fall back on,” she says.

Katherine admits that life as a model isn’t always glamorous and there are some drawbacks, she is quick to point this out to any young girls thinking of chasing a career in this cut-throat industry.

“I would advise they do some research on the industry before starting. I was careful not to get involved in scams and never got stuck in an uncomfortable situation I couldn’t handle. Many girls have done things they regret such as nude shots hoping it would further their career when in fact it is much more likely to damage it.”

For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.