Ballynahinch stunner Liza through to final of Miss Northern Ireland

Ballynahinch stunner Liza through to final of Miss Northern Ireland

13 April 2022

AFTER many weeks of worrying about her family living through the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Liza Kachura has something positive to celebrate.

The Ukrainian-born 19 year-old has won a place in next month’s gala final of the Miss Northern Ireland beauty competition at the Europa Hotel in Belfast.

Liza, who lives with her family in Ballynahinch, was named Miss Spice of Lisburn several weeks ago.

The trainee accountant will aim to win the Miss Northern Ireland title — and a chance to enter Miss World — on May 23.

She won her heat with the support of her mother Iryna, who is from Mariupol, one of the most devastated cities in Ukraine.

Liza’s family were greatly concerned for the safety of her grandmother Tamara, her uncle Alexander and wife Olga, when they lost contact with them for a number of days last month during the invasion. 

They were relieved when they found out that their relatives had moved to relative safety at a nearby coastal town.

Liza is training to be an accountant in a fast-tracked apprenticeship with PWC and speaks Russian and Ukrainian.

She was encouraged to enter the Miss Northern Ireland competition after approaching the organiser, ACA, about potential modelling opportunities. 

Despite her linguistic ability, Liza said that she hopes to improve on her public speaking abilities for the upcoming final.

“I tended to get a bit flustered and nervous when I was asked questions during the heat,” explained Liza.

“I will be working to improve my confidence when speaking in public and to make sure that I have something ready to say for the final.”

Liza was one of two finalists put through to the final, along with 19 year-old Ellen Knox from Portrush.

Competition organiser Victoria Withers is encouraging other young women interested in the opportunity to enter into other heats which are yet to be held.

She said: “We were delighted to host another live heat in the beautiful Spice restaurant in Lisburn and continue the search for the next Miss Northern Ireland. 

“Liza’s heat had a strong calibre of girls from across the province and the judging panel had an incredibly challenging task.”