Stockton's Bella Fernandes is vying to make the grand finale of the Australian Supermodel of the Year competition.
Bella, 17, is among 31 girls from across Australia competing to make the finale.
"I will know if I have been selected to compete in the grand finale before the end of the year," she said.
The competition said in a statement that it had taken months to find the 31 girls.
The girls were described as "diamonds", who "we believe will one day change the world through compassion, empathy, love and respect for all humans and our planet".
"This is the group of girls we believe will set a new benchmark in what true sisterhood should look like.
"We need to support each other and girls outside the competition, irrespective of their status, race, background, nationality, body type, colour, culture, religion or beliefs."
Bella, a St Philip's Christian College student, said the competition "focuses on being more than just a model".
"The girls are taught to love themselves and show love to others, whilst educating and promoting a more sustainable society. It's all about diversity, equality, inclusivity and being a woman in business," she said.
Bella has a higher purpose of "supporting and advocating for the homeless, especially now as affording and accessing basic necessities has become harder".
She is collaborating with Upper Hunter youth advocate Sam Barry on changes to the law for housing affordability and homelessness among youth in NSW.
COVID restrictions have made it difficult to "come together and physically provide support".
"However, we hope to eventually hold community days for those subjected to homelessness and provide care packages with essential items, as well as emotional support."
She has advocated for the homeless on her Instagram platform, where she has 10,000 followers.
When it comes to her education, she plans to study a double degree - bachelor of politics, philosophy and economics and bachelor of law (honours).
"I have recently been offered an unconditional early entry offer - as well as two scholarships - which are only offered to one domestic student, to study at Australia's best university, Australian National University (ANU), in 2022," she said.
Through a modelling career, social media and her increasing knowledge of the economy, law and political environment, she hopes to "continue spreading awareness" about homelessness.
"What initially inspired me to continue this path was when I began studying the cost of living and the extreme increase of rental affordability. It made me upset that I was able to go home to a warm house, with fresh food and water, but some people didn't even have shelter."
She believes there must be a solution.
And surely she's right.
Three Minute Thesis
On average, it takes about nine hours to present an 80,000-word thesis to an audience.
University of Newcastle finalists looking to be crowned winner of the annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition have - you guessed it - just three minutes.
Tackling topics from food sustainability to gender ideals, preserving Indigenous songs and soft robotics inspired by worms, master of philosophy and PhD candidates from across the university have worked to distil their complex projects into short pitches.
