She leaves a little sparkle wherever she goes.
Born of a Caviteño mother and an Australian father, Queenslander Serenity Charles has always been a vibrant child; but her beauty has nothing to do with any pretence or an excessive sense of self-satisfaction. Serenity's true self lies in her innate desire to be of service to others and, to spread kindness to whomever she meets.
Her mother Jennifer, who lost her first husband in 2015 due to a heart aneurysm, raised her to be this way. Jennifer's ties to the Philippines also allowed Serenity to develop a stronger sense of empathy for Filipino children who don't enjoy the same comforts that she does.
"Serenity is a quiet kid and sweet, kind and loving," her mum Jennifer Hogg shares, adding, "I’m very proud of her - that at her young age, she is grateful for what she has."
And what Serenity has is the confidence to join pageants.
Serenity and her mum, Jennifer Source: Jennifer Balane Hogg
"When she was a little girl, we’d always watch pageants on TV - especially when the Philippines [was part of it]. I think that's where she got [the idea to join] from," Jennifer shares.
Serenity's first taste of pageantry was at last year's Miss Gladstone Harbour Festival.
"It was my first ever pageant that I've done and I won. It was a big achievement for me," Serenity shares.
When it comes to achievements, Serenity is set to potentially garner success in the upcoming Junior Miss Diamond Australia Pageant which aims to give contestants a platform to raise funds and promote awareness for their chosen charities. The competition isn't just a chance to do her hair and makeup, but an opportunity to promote a cause that has had a profound effect on her family's life.
According to Serenity: "My brother Sherwin is 14 years old and when he was born, he had congenital heart disease. He was told by doctors that he only had four years to live; but after all the research we’ve done, we found the HeartKids foundation."
HeartKids helped Sherwin get access to the surgeries that saved his life. For this, Serenity and the rest of the family are extremely grateful.
Serenity Charles will be the only Filipino competing in this year's Miss Junior Diamond Australia. Source: Jennifer Balane Hogg
"If it wasn’t for HeartKids Foundation, my brother wouldn’t be living to this day right now. I’m fundraising for them to show them how much I appreciate the work they’ve done," Serenity shares.
And when it comes to appreciation, Serenity is beyond grateful for the support and the love she gets from her family in the Philippines; her brothers; her stepfather Joshua who teaches her how to strut on stage; and her mother who makes her see her sparkle even in times of doubt.
"I was really shy when I got on stage. I felt like I was going to do a horrible job, but once you actually go up there and do what you have to do, it’s a great feeling" she says, adding, "I’m really close to my mum. She’s helped me through my tough times. She helped me gain my confidence. I just really appreciate that she’s doing that for me."
Miss/Mr Diamond Australia will run from April 12-13 in the Emporium Hotel in Brisbane. Coronation for the said pageant will be held on the 13th of April.
The Charles / Hogg family Source: Jennifer Balane Hogg
UPDATE: Serenity won the title of Junior Miss Diamond 2019.
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Serenity Charles won the title of Junior Miss Diamond 2019. Source: Jennifer Balane Hogg
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