Portraits: Caroline Mertz, Miss Luxembourg contestant in 2018: “My values are ambition, daring, challenge…”

Caroline Mertz was 18 when she introduced herself to info-lux.com readers in August 2018. At the time she lived in Nobressart, a village just outside Arlon, and was running for the Miss Luxembourg title, which opens the door to Miss Belgique.

She describes herself as “a smiling young woman”. Her friends and family, she writes, see her as someone “who puts everyone in a good mood”, with the zest for life and determination needed to reach her goals.

01A childhood in the woods

Before Nobressart, she lived in Lottert, a village in the same area. She has very fond memories of a childhood spent outdoors with her best friends, who lived in the same village.

We spent our time building dens in the woods, playing in the mud, riding our bikes and, of course, getting up to a bit of mischief!

Caroline, August 2018

She loves living near the French and Luxembourg borders, which give her plenty of choice for days out, from Amnéville zoo to the treetop adventure course in Steinfort.

02A dream born in front of the TV

I’m taking part in Miss Belgique because, ever since I was a little girl, I’ve watched the pageant on TV wearing my mum’s heels and lipstick, and I’ve always dreamt of one day being in the place of those elegant young women myself.

Caroline Mertz, August 2018

So she goes for it. In her campaign photos, by Littlecloudpics, she wears the yellow sash reading “Miss Luxembourg candidate for Miss Belgique 2019”.

My values are ambition, daring, challenge and the most important of all: respect for others.

Caroline, August 2018

03From beauty therapy to social work

In June 2018, she graduates in bio-aesthetics. The job doesn’t “fully” suit her: in September 2018, she is due to start studying social work, to learn how to help others in their daily lives. She sees this as an asset for Miss Belgique.

With the other Miss Belgique contestants, she is raising money for the charity Hope For The Children, which aims to make education more accessible to disadvantaged children in Rong Vean, Cambodia: cake sales, clothing sales and events to raise public awareness.

I hope my action, however small, will have helped the children of Rong Vean. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll go there.

Caroline, August 2018

04Travelling to represent

Her main passion is travel. Since she was little, she has visited Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey, Spain, England and France; at the end of August 2018, she is due to go to Rome. Her best trip is still New York, which she visited with her family in 2014.

What I love about travelling and city breaks is discovering each country's culture, the local food and the things typical of the city or country.

Caroline, August 2018

A Miss, she believes, should travel to represent her country. To talk about her province, she mentions Orval Abbey, Bouillon Castle, the Baraque de Fraiture and the archaeological museum in Arlon.

I’d be proud and honoured to be chosen to represent our beautiful Province of Luxembourg and, who knows, perhaps our whole country.

Caroline Mertz, August 2018

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8 photosCaroline’s gallery

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2018 · Her contestant campaign, by Littlecloudpics