Jessica Gagen: The Rocket Scientist Crowned Miss World England 2023

Introduction

In a world that often places beauty and intelligence on opposite ends of the spectrum, Jessica Gagen shatters stereotypes as she clinches the title of Miss England 2023, making history as the first redhead to wear the crown. However, Jessica is not your typical beauty queen; she’s a trailblazing aerospace engineer, a STEM ambassador, and a model determined to inspire the next generation of female scientists and engineers.

Early Life and Education of Jessica Gagen

Jessica Gagen was born on September 6th, 1995, in Ormskirk, Lancashire. She grew up in Skelmersdale with her parents and younger sister. She did really well in school, especially in subjects like math, science, art, and sports. She was highly regarded by her classmates and even got the titles of Assistant Head Girl and Sports Woman of the Year. At the age of 15, Jessica signed with her first modelling agency and continued her studies while exploring her new venture. She did really well in her GCSEs, getting top grades in 10 subjects.

Then, in A-Level, she studied Biology, Chemistry, English, and Maths. While getting ready for those exams, Jessica got curious about careers in aviation. She thought it might be too late to switch paths, though. After finishing her exams, she took a year off from studying to focus on modeling. But, Jessica never lost her passion for aviation. Right now, she’s in her last year of an integrated master’s degree in aerospace engineering at the University of Liverpool.

Instagram of Jessica Gagen

Modelling Career and Miss England

Jessica Gagen’s modelling career is also noteworthy. She works as a part-time model with the Boss Model agency in Manchester, and she has signed contracts internationally. She has worked with brands such as Boohoo, Pretty Little Thing, Missguided, and ASOS. She has also appeared in magazines such as Vogue, Elle, and Cosmopolitan. She enjoys modelling as a creative outlet and a way to express herself. She believes that beauty is not defined by a certain look, but by one’s personality, confidence, and kindness.

Jessica Gagen’s passion for modelling led her to enter the Miss England competition in 2021. She competed as Miss Lancashire and won the Dentakay Brightest Smile award, which fast-tracked her to the Top 12. She also impressed the judges with her fundraising efforts for Beauty with a Purpose, the charity arm of Miss World. She ran 5k for 96 days consecutively in Fancy Dress, raising over £10,000 for various causes. She placed second in the 2021 Miss England Final, which qualified her for the 2022 Miss England Final.

In October 2022, something amazing happened for Jessica Gagen – she made history as the first woman ever in Miss England to win with beautiful red hair. Jessica, a 27-year-old student studying aerospace engineering, was crowned Miss England 2022 at a fancy event at the Holiday Inn NEC Birmingham Airport. The competition had 30 women from all over England, and it took place over two days with different rounds. Jessica won the Dentakay Brightest Smile award again, which fast-tracked her to the Top 12. She also won the public vote, which secured her a spot in the Top 5. She then wowed the judges with her intelligence, eloquence, and charisma, and was announced as the winner of the prestigious title.

Jessica Gagen’s victory is especially poignant because she was badly bullied at school for having red hair. People said mean things to her, spat at her, and even threw things at her head. According to Jessica, someone even burned her for it. She has been quite upset about revealing this personal story, which she has purposely avoided bringing to light for the majority of her teenage and adult life. However, she realized that sharing her story is a way to empower others who might be facing something similar. She thinks that her success will encourage young girls to embrace their uniqueness and feel more self-assured.

From Skepticism to Empowerment: The Miss England Journey

While initially hesitant due to prevailing stereotypes, Jessica Gagen’s entry into the Miss Lancashire competition marked the beginning of a transformative journey. Dismissing the misconceptions surrounding beauty pageants, she recognized the platform’s potential to empower women and promote causes close to her heart. Determined to challenge the gender norms in STEM, Jessica seamlessly merged her modeling career with her advocacy for science and technology.

Breaking Barriers and Confronting Adversity

Jessica Gagen’s path to success was not devoid of challenges. She faced bullying and prejudice in high school because of her unique red hair, but she came out strong and resilient. Focusing on her studies, sports, and extracurricular activities, she excelled academically while developing a profound passion for aviation and engineering, inspired by her grandfather’s legacy as a Royal Air Force pilot.

From Engineering to Pageantry: A Perfect Fusion

Jessica Gagen’s entry into pageantry began when she was scouted by a modeling agency at 18. Participating in competitions like Miss Lancashire and Miss Great Britain, she utilized her platform to raise awareness and funds for charities such as the British Heart Foundation and the Alzheimer’s Society. In 2023, she triumphed in the Miss England contest, breaking the mold and challenging the conventional standards of beauty.

Miss World 2023 Journey

Jessica Gagen represented England on 71st Miss World competition (Miss World 2023) on 9th March 2024 at The Jio World Centre, Mumbai, India where she finished in Top-8 position on finale night. On 22nd February 2024, she secured Top- 32 position in sports challenge and on 23rd February, she was decared as winner of Head to Head challenge along with other 4 countries, resulting into they all entered in official Top-40 of Miss World 2023 competition.

Miss England to Miss World: Inspiring Women Globally

Jessica Gagen represented England at the Miss World contest, she envisions her role as an opportunity to further champion the cause of women in STEM on a global stage. With an impressive background in aerospace engineering and her dedication to empowering girls, she aspires to showcase that intelligence, beauty, and ambition are not mutually exclusive.

A recent visit to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center added fuel to Jessica’s aspirations. Interacting with astronauts, engineers, and scientists, she realized her dream of becoming an astronaut might not be far-fetched. Eager and nervous about the Miss World pageant, Jessica aims to promote a positive image of women in STEM and inspire more women to reach for the stars.

Jessica Gagen’s journey from aerospace engineering to the Miss England title exemplifies the harmony between intellect and beauty. A living testament to resilience, she stands as a role model for aspiring young girls, breaking barriers and proving that one can be a beauty queen and a rocket scientist simultaneously. As she prepares to compete on the global stage, Jessica Gagen embodies the spirit of empowerment, diversity, and inclusion, leaving an indelible mark on the world of beauty and STEM.

STEM Education for Women and Girls

Jessica Gagen has a degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Liverpool and aspires to become an astronaut. She is the first engineer and the first ginger to win the title of Miss England. She uses her platform to promote STEM education for women and girls, who are often underrepresented and discouraged from pursuing careers in science and technology. She visits schools to speak about STEM and inspire young students to follow their dreams. She also shares her journey and challenges on her social media, where she has over 100,000 followers.

Jessica Gagen believes that numeracy is a skill that helps us improve our everyday lives, yet many people suffer from maths anxiety. She is an ambassador for National Numeracy, a charity that aims to improve the number skills and confidence of adults and children in the UK. She encourages people to take the National Numeracy Challenge, a free online tool that assesses and improves their numeracy level. She also supports the Number Confidence Week, an annual campaign that celebrates the benefits of being confident with numbers.

Jessica Gagen knows from her own experience that maths can be difficult and daunting, but also rewarding and empowering. She dropped A Level Maths because she lacked confidence in the subject, but later taught herself at her own pace and achieved a high mathematical ability to enter and complete her degree. She says that she has always enjoyed solving puzzles and doing things that challenge her, and that making mistakes is completely normal. She wants to help others overcome their fear of maths and realise their potential.

Charity Work and Fundraising

Jessica Gagen is also involved in various charity work and fundraising activities. She is a patron for the Variety Children’s Charity, which provides practical help and memorable experiences to children and young people who are sick, disabled or disadvantaged. She attends events and visits hospitals to bring joy and hope to the children and their families. She also raises money for the charity by participating in challenges and auctions.

Jessica Gagen is also a supporter of the Beauty with a Purpose program, which is the charity arm of the Miss World organisation. The program helps disadvantaged children around the world by funding projects that address issues such as education, health, sanitation, and environment.

Jessica Gagen represented England at the Miss World 2023 on 9th March 2023 in Mumbai, India, where she will showcased her Beauty with a Purpose project, which is about creating a sustainable and eco-friendly school in India. During her recent visit to India, she donated her hair to the Little Princess Trust, a charity that provides free real hair wigs to children and young people who have lost their hair due to cancer or other conditions.

Jessica Gagen is also a vegan and an animal lover. She advocates for animal rights and welfare, and supports organisations such as PETA, Animal Aid, and The Vegan Society. She also promotes veganism as a healthy and ethical lifestyle choice, and shares her favourite vegan recipes and products on her social media.

Conclusion

Jessica Gagen is a role model for many young girls who aspire to pursue their dreams and passions, regardless of the stereotypes and barriers they may face. Jessica Gagen is a remarkable woman who combines beauty and brainpower, and uses her influence and talents to make a positive difference in the world. She is a role model and an inspiration for many people, especially women and girls who want to pursue STEM education and careers.

She is also a compassionate and generous person who supports various causes and charities that help children, animals, and the environment. She is truly a beauty with a purpose. She is a proof that beauty and brains can go hand in hand, and that STEM is not only for boys. She is a Miss England who is also a rocket scientist.

Read about “Miss World 2023 Date Changed (Postponed)“.