Gemma Cole, aged 21, from Hollybrook Road, has made it to the closing stages of the annual contest after winning the Miss Glenavon title in a heat held at Glenavon House Hotel, Cookstown.
Blonde beauty Gemma now joins 24 other gorgeous finalists who will go head to head in competition for the coveted Miss Northern Ireland 2009 title in the Europa Hotel on Monday, June 29.
All the finalists stopped by Rushmere Shopping Centre this week to meet centre manager, Martin Walsh, and The Apprentice finalist, Ben Clarke, who will both be judging the Gala Final.
Gemma, a marketing student at the University of Ulster at Jordanstown, who also works in a voluntary capacity for Cathy Martin PR, said she was really looking forward to the final.
"I'm just delighted to have come this far, and I don't want the whole experience to end," she told the Newtownabbey Times.
"It was lovely meeting all the other girls this week, and trying to get to know everyone. I'm nervous about the final, but pretty excited at the same time."
Gemma revealed it was her brother's girlfriend, Louise Davidson, who put her name forward for the contest.
"When Louise told me what she'd done, I just thought why not, I'll give it a go and see, and now here I am, down to the last 25! It just goes to show, nothing ventured, nothing gained."
Gemma says her boyfriend, Martin Wilson, from Whiteabbey, is loving her success to date.
"Yes, Martin is being totally supportive of me and all the attention I'm getting! He probably wishes he was up there on stage himself," she laughed.
And in preparation for the big final, Gemma is putting in some time doing Pilates.
"My aunty takes a Pilates class in Mayfield and I've recently started going to that. It's great because it focuses on your posture and on holding yourself right, as well as general toning up, so that should be helpful."
The final will be presented by a former Miss NI Ireland and 'Dancing on Ice' star, Zoe Salmon, and UTV's Frank Mitchell.Sponsored this year by Rushmere Shopping Centre, the 25 lucky girls have been chosen from across Northern Ireland to represent their towns and cities.
All that remains is the contestants' eager anticipation for a full weekend of VIP engagements and photo calls followed by the Gala Final on June 29.
The winner of the contest will receive thousands of pounds worth of prizes including a brand new Kia car for the year from Downey's of Newtownards, £1,000 of Rushmere vouchers, and £1,000 worth of lingerie from Menary's at Rushmere, in association with Wonderbra, for the duration of her reign.
Prizes for the titleholder include a modelling contract with Alison Campbell Agency - the complete prize package for the competition totalling £40,000. The 2009 Rushmere Miss NI will also win an all expenses paid month's trip representing Northern Ireland in this year's Miss World contest set to take place in South Africa later this year.
Event Organiser Alison Campbell said: "The standard of this year's competition has been extremely high, it's fantastic to see so many girls putting themselves forward for the role as an ambassador for Northern Ireland. I can honestly say this year we have had a record number of entries, the interest has been amazing."
Outgoing Miss Northern Ireland, Judith Wilson, has a word of advice to all the girls: "Be yourself, and put 100% effort into every aspect of the competition as it really is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
"I have been honoured to represent Northern Ireland in the past year and I hope this year's winner will enjoy the experience as much as I have, the highlight for me being the Miss World Final for one month in South Africa."