Beauty with brains
Tremaine van Aardt
LAIKEN Bailey is more than just a pretty face.
The 21-year-old Gelvandale student, who was a 2009 Miss Port Elizabeth finalist, is a final year LLB student at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Instead of burdening her family with her tuition fees, she decided to raise the money herself.
"My family is planing to buy a new home. I realised that the R26000 I had to pay by November this year was something we just couldn’t afford anymore,” Bailey said.
The first event she will be hosting is a Golden Oldie evening at the Blue Note tomorrow night (March 30). She is also planning bingo evenings and dances.
Modelling since she was nine, Bailey has picked up many titles over the years including PE Model of the Year organised by Pizazze Finishing school and Miss Cosmopolitan Northern Areas, both in 2007.
She has never allowed her beauty to go to her head and has paid her own way as a promoter for Looks International. She is also an instructor at Shapes women’s gym in Parkside.
Bailey, who matriculated at St Thomas High School in 2008, has blossomed both socially and academically.
"I am the type of person who gets a high from just living life and am driven by my passion for success.”
Bailey said she had never let her circumstance determine her outcome.
"Growing up in my area I have been exposed to a lot in my life, including gangsterism and substance abuse. But I have never let it affect me because I know it is never impossible to rise above your circumstances.
"Since I have chosen to study law I have acquired what people call ‘armour of life’. It has enlightened me to different aspects of life and through this I’ve learnt to adapt accordingly. I’m ready for anything.”
Her mother, Desiree, who is a manager at Coega Dairy, said she was immensely proud of her daughter.
"Laiken is a strong-willed, passionate person and has always gone the extra mile. She is proof that if you want something badly enough you will get it.”