Association of Deaf and Hearing Impaired

Miss Deaf and Hearing Impaired Beauty Contest 

Last month, the Macedonian Association of Deaf and Hearing Impaired organized the Miss Deaf and Hearing Impaired Beauty Contest for the second time. In order to increase the trust and faith among its members, this association is trying to make this beauty contest traditional.

This year's winner was Aleksandra Staleska from Kicevo, the first runner up was Katerina Milanovska from Skopje and the second was Lidija Petrovska from Kumanovo. The winner got the right to represent Macedonia at the Miss World Contest that will take place on 19 July 2003 in Prague, Czech Republic. This manifestation will be a great opportunity to turn the world public attention towards the marginalized groups for their complete involvement in the everyday life.

-I am very happy that the Union organized such a manifestation. This title gives me an opportunity to represent our country at the Miss World for Deaf and Hearing Impaired girls and it is a rare opportunity to affirm these people, said Aleksandra Staleska, student at the Faculty of Philosophy in Skopje, department of defectology. She is the first deaf student in Macedonia. -Unfortunately, my participation is uncertain due to the bad financial possibilities of the Union. Therefore, we refer to the broader public, especially to the successful companies, to give their contribution and help us cover the traveling costs, she says.

Aleksandra Staleska needs 1000 euro to participate at the contest. Those who can and are willing to help can transfer their money to the Union's account: 200-0000027877-72; tax number: 4030984177071; deponent Stopanska bank). For more information you can contact her sister Nikolina Staleska (nstaleska@yahoo.com) 

D.M.