Dundalk girl lands Poland’s Next Top Model title

Osi Ugonah

Dundalk’s Osi Ugonoh has been named Poland’s Next Top Model.

The local woman, who is of Polish and African descent, has been involved in the competition since it got underway at the start of September but last night saw off competition from Michał Baryza to clinch the coveted prize.

Osi, a former student in Dun Lughaidh Secondary School, is the fourth ever winner of the show and the first to triumph when the competition has also involved male models.

The 20-year-old 5ft 11in model, was born in Gdansk in Poland to Nigerian parents but relocated to Ireland at the age of 11 with her family and settled in Dundalk.

She first entered the modelling world aged 15 and three years ago things really took off for her when she entered the international beauty pageant Miss Supranational in Poland and was later crowned Miss Africa Ireland for 2012 – all while starting health science and nutrition studies in Athlone IT.

Poland’s Next Top Model is based on Tyra Banks’ America’s Next Top Model competition and is hosted by Polish born supermodel Joanna Krupa, who serves as the lead judge alongside fashion designer Dawid Woliński, fashion show director Katarzyna Sokołowska and photographer Marcin Tyszka. Well known Polish model Kasia Struss was also a guest judge for last night’s final.

Osi’s family, including sister Ogi – who is a member of Dundalk Youth Theatre – still live locally.

Dundalk girl making a name for herself in Poland’s Next Top Model competition

Osi Ugonoh

A Dundalk girl of Polish and African descent is making a name for herself in the modelling world at present as she takes part in Poland’s Next Top Model competition.

Osi Ugonoh, a former student in Dun Lughaidh Secondary School, is currently preparing for the 10th episode of the show, with the final just two weeks away.

The 20-year-old 5ft 11in model, was born in Gdansk in Poland to Nigerian parents but relocated to Ireland at the age of 11 with her family and settled in Dundalk.

She first entered the modelling world aged 15 and three years ago things really took off for her when she entered the international beauty pageant Miss Supranational in Poland and was later crowned Miss Africa Ireland for 2012 – all while starting health science and nutrition studies in Athlone IT.

Poland’s Next Top Model is based on Tyra Banks’ America’s Next Top Model competition and is hosted by Polish born supermodel Joanna Krupa, who serves as the lead judge alongside fashion designer Dawid Woliński, fashion show director Katarzyna Sokołowska and photographer Marcin Tyszka.

Osi’s family, including sister Ogi – who is a member of Dundalk Youth Theatre – still live locally.

MAD Youth Theatre enjoy successful trip to Prague

MAD Youth Theatre members performing in Prague

MAD Youth Theatre Dundalk recently travelled to Prague in the Czech Republic for a few fun filled days of performances, sightseeing and drama workshops as part of the Class In Action International Youth Theatre Festival 2014.

The festival promotes and encourages the use of English as a tool for international communication and it also encourages native English speakers to communicate effectively with non-native speakers.

MAD were the first Irish youth theatre to ever participate this year, alongside nine other youth drama groups from Russia, France, England and the Czech Republic.

The members also had the opportunity to stay with families from Prague Youth Theatre, which added to their Czech experience.

Director Kwasie Boyce said: “This was a opportunity for the young people to share cultures and bond over similarities, a chance to be ambassadors for their community.”

The senior members of MAD Youth Theatre are excited by this wonderful opportunity and have been working hard the past few weeks devising a short play to perform to their international peers.

Their devised play ‘Connor’ looks at the pressures young men face and issues that are often misguided as being a “man”.  Members agreed that this was a universal theme and the audience made up of their peers really related to the story.

This hard work paid off resulting in an amazing win for the first timers in this festival. They won Best Actor category for Craig McHugh and best overall play from the judges, as well as the audience members.

Organisers said that in the eight years running they have never seen such performance, great script and important message. Other audience members said they were moved and touched by the story. The young people are proud to represent Irish youth drama and their community and are delighted to be coming home so successful.

MAD Youth Theatre wants to thank all who have supported the organisation and helping them get the young people to Prague.

Since its inauguration in 2011 MAD Youth Theatre have been working consistently providing a space where young people who have an interest in drama not only learn the skills to be an actor but develop the young person as a whole artistically, socially and personally. If you want to get in touch find them on Facebook at M.A.D YOUTH THEATRE or email ytfordundalk@gmail.com or call 0860457026. The first class is free.

Participants that paved the way in Prague for more Irish Youth Drama Groups included: Lola Sara Farrell, Ogi Ugonoh, Craig McHugh, Rachael Winters, Jake Condon, Steven Jimenez and Andrew Duffy.