In February this year Hales student, Jodie, was selected as Miss Teynham and throughout the next year will be representing Teynham and Swale. Jodie said “On the selection, myself and five other girls were judged on our appearance, our posture, how we spoke, our leadership skills and our socialising skills; when we weren't being judged on these aspects, we were also judged on how well we spoke publicly. We were also asked about our ambitions and plans for the future. It was a long night and the process took four hours. By the end of the night three girls were selected to be on the new Court of Teynham; I was selected as Queen because of my various qualities. I also sang my stand-down speech at the selection as well!” Having been a Teynham Princess last year, Jodie entered the Carnival world as a shy and insecure girl who was afraid to be ambitious; she is now a more confident young lady, jumping at every opportunity that lands in her path. Jodie has a busy year ahead of her and will be attending carnivals in Minster, Thanet, Ramsgate, Deal, Teynham (the Mayor Swale will be attending this), Whitstable, Margate, Sheppey, Faversham, Sandwich, Aylesham, Dover CA, Faversham, Invicta Kent ball, Court of Kent ball and the Team European England Selection and Finals. During the recent Sittingbourne Carnival, Jodie’s court successfully gained two awards: 1st Visiting Queen's Float (Brazilian theme) and 1st Court of the Day (which were both presented by the Mayor of Swale).