The first Miss & Mrs Cross Continent event in Dublin showed how a pageant can combine cultural diversity, leadership and practical community education.
Twenty-four women from seven countries participated in the programme, which was attended by approximately 450 guests at the Church of Scientology & Community Centre.
The organisers worked with The Truth About Drugs Ireland to include an educational element alongside the pageant and cultural performances.
The programme began with an educational exhibition where visitors could review factual information about drugs, addiction and prevention. Many of the contestants studied Truth About Drugs materials in advance, and several completed the full series of fourteen online courses.
In his address, Mayor Francis Timmons noted that education and positive leadership can help create healthier and more united communities.
The afternoon also included Irish, Indian and Indonesian dance performances, reflecting the international character of the gathering.
At the end of the competition, Niveditha Vudayagiri was named Miss Cross Continent 2026. Fortunate Lindokuhle Masina and Yuki Yuliatin completed the top Ireland three as first and second runners-up.
By combining cultural expression with drug education, the programme gave the traditional pageant format a wider social purpose. The complete story can be read in this report about the multicultural pageant combining cultural celebration with drug education.