LeChé Simmons is used to being in front of a camera. She started modelling at age three when she appeared in a newspaper advertisement for Gibbons Company.Now 19, Miss Simmons is gearing up to take the stage in the Miss Sunderland beauty pageant in North East England.She beat out the competition in the first round of eliminations and is now one of 12 girls set to go on to the finals.If she wins the Miss Sunderland title on May 19 she will go on to represent the area at the Miss England grand final, and then Miss World. The top prize for Miss World is $100,000.Miss Simmons was born and raised in Bermuda, but moved to England with her mom Carol seven years ago.She immediately joined up with modelling agencies, Zebra Models and Boho Models, to get her career rolling. Her first professional gig there, was in a Pizza Hut commercial at age 12.Since then the teenager has been featured in a handful of publications, including: a bridal fashion shoot for Lifestyle Magazine, a full-page spread in Newcastle’s The Journal newspaper and a 2011 calendar for Boho Models.Last May she strutted her stuff on the catwalk at Newcastle Fashion Week; and most recently she completed a photo shoot for Durham City Council.She said she was scouted by beauty insiders and encouraged to take part in the Miss Sunderland pageant back in January.“I was approached by a few people who said I should enter it; they are people who actually run the competition. Because I am with a few modelling agencies they saw me around.“At first I didn’t know about entering a beauty pageant really, but I am really glad I did because it has been such a great experience so far.”Miss Simmons has had the opportunity to make new friends, raise money for different charities and take part in pageant photo shoots.The competition has forced her out of her comfort zone, given her more confidence and allowed her to take part in positive events in the community, she said.“I think getting up in front of people and talking is the most scary thing for me. I have done a few fashion shows and the catwalk aspect doesn’t really frighten me because I am used to it, but I have never really talked in front of a lot of people.“So far I am not nervous, probably on the night I might be.”The first year accounting and finance student at Sunderland University hopes to one day own her own business.Her father, Leo Simmons of Warwick, said he was “overwhelmed with joy” over her accomplishments.“I am excited. I preach to her more about the importance of education, but I support her 100 percent in anything she does.“I have always known she was beautiful and she has a nice personality as well; she is a very humble person.”The winner of Miss Sunderland 2012 will win the crown, a selection of prizes and take part in modelling assignments as the new Miss Sunderland.The lucky girl will also have the chance to compete at a national level in 2013, which Miss Simmons said would be a privilege.“Making it to the Miss England pageant would be such an honour. I haven’t really thought that far ahead to if I did win, but it would be really great, an amazing accomplishment.“It would open other doors for me. I have spoken to the girl who won it last year, she has done so much and she has travelled around the country and gotten some modelling gigs as well. “